NUSD Classified Union Approves Multi-year Contract

Union Contract Negotiations - updated 7/7/2011 on Dipity.

BY BRANDY TUZON BOYD

THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

California School Employees Association Chapter No. 745 members voted 61-1 today to approve a multi-year contract with the Natomas Unified School District.

The agreement is for three years and brings to an end months of fruitless talks between school district officials and union representatives.

“This is good for us and good for the district,” union president Mike Sanders told The Natomas Buzz.

Both parties met at the bargaining table more than a dozen times before the school district declared an impasse in contract talks and proceeded to fact-finding. A daylong mediation session last week at the Public Employment Relations Board offices, while the fact-finding panel waited, resulted in the tentative agreement ratified overwhelmingly by classified union members today.

“The results of this agreement demonstrate the professionalism and commitment of all CSEA employees to best serve kids,” said Natomas school board president Bruce Roberts.

Terms of the new contract call for employees to take an average 5 percent pay cut in the form of mandatory furlough days. The number of furlough days varies by employee and some “critical” employees, such as those working in special education, will be exempt.

Classified employees will take up to 12 furlough days per calendar year based on their schedule. That's a far cry from the proposed 24 furlough days in a contract rejected earlier this year by classified union members.

The contract also includes a “me too” clause that allows the classified union to reopen talks if the school district negotiates changes in its contract with the Natomas Teachers' Association.

The Natomas Unified School District asked all its employee groups to take pay cuts to help avoid bankruptcy. Non-union employees agreed to a 7.9 percent pay cut for two-years. The teachers' union approved a one-year contract to achieve a 7.9 percent pay cut in the form of increased class sizes and teacher layoffs. (Several pink-slipped teachers won challenges and will be back at work in fall so the savings is expected to be lower.)

Current budget projections show the school district has enough cash to get it through the 2011-12 school year. The Natomas classified union represents about 300 workers.

CSEA TA 6-27-11[1]

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Google Cruises Through Natomas

PHOTOS BY MIKE ROBLES & BRETT HOILAND

THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

Natomas-area residents report seeing the Google maps street view vehicle making the rounds in the neighborhood. The car is pictured last week on Bridgecross, just past Charm Way, and 11 a.m. today on Stemmler Way.

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You Asked, We Got The Answer

THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

"Where did the Jelly Belly store go that used to be by Target?"

-Terri Wosika Meyer via email

The Jelly Belly store remains in the Sacramento Gateway shopping complex, but has relocated across the street to The Village at 3610 North Freeway Boulevard, Suite No. 120.

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Seen In Natomas: Men At Work

PHOTO BY LARRY RODDA

THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

Construction work continues on the Interstate 5 highway ramps at Del Paso Road. Signal light poles were recently installed and repaving the roadway, pictured here, was under way today.

The improvements include installation of ramp meters and traffic signals, bike lanes and signage are being added as part of the Natomas Finance Plan.

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Where In Natomas?

THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

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Richards Off-ramp Work To Start

THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

The City of Sacramento is set to start a $10 million dollar project to widen both freeway off-ramps at Interstate 5 and Richards Boulevard.

Work is scheduled to start the week of July 11 and will include improvements to Richards Boulevard, Bercut Drive and Jibboom Street the week of July 11. Construction is expected to be complete by in fall 2012.

Department of Transportation officials say road work will take place 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. The project will consist of widening Richards Boulevard with two additional lanes within the interchange; widening the southbound off-ramp and northbound off-ramp by adding one lane to each ramp; extending Bercut Drive south into the Railyards and adding bike lanes and sidewalks with planter strips to Bercut and Jibboom.

During construction, motorists can expect delays due to intermittent lane closures. Construction truck traffic is also anticipated. All businesses including hotels on Jibboom Street will remain open during construction.

The project aims to relieve existing traffic congestion and improve traffic circulation as Railyards and Township 9 development get underway. When finished, the backups that currently occur on Richards Boulevard as traffic waits to turn left onto the southbound on-ramp is expected to ease and the length of time traffic is sitting on off-ramps will be reduced.

The Richards Boulevard project is also expected to improve alternative modes of transportation, such as mass transit, biking, and walking by constructing bus stops, bike lanes and pedestrian pathways. Click the project webpage and project fact sheet for more information.

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Advisory Committee Meets Today

THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

The Sacramento Redistricting Citizens Advisory Committee will hold its final meeting today to finalize its recommendations for the Sacramento City Council.

The Natomas region likely will be impacted by redistricting because 2010 census findings show the area exceeds the target population for a council district. Councilwoman Angelique Ashby currently represents District 1 which includes Natomas, Old Sacramento and parts of downtown.

Today's meeting is set for 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 915 I Street. The committee is expected to present its recommendations for redistricting at the City Council's July 12 meeting.

For more information visit www.cityofsacramento.org/redistricting, contact Scot Mende at (916) 808-4756 or email smende@cityofsacramento.org.

Submitted Redistricting Plans w Links Reduced

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For A Good Cause: WRCA Yard Sale

THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

The Witter Ranch Community Alliance, in partnership with non-profit all volunteer Sacramento Drowning Accident Rescue Team, is hosting a huge community yard sale to help buy valuable tools meant to help reduce crime and improve safety of firefighters and the public.

WHAT: WRCA & DART Huge Community Yard Sale 

WHEN: Saturday, July 16 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

WHERE: Cafaro Circle (off Stemmler Drive)

All funds raised will be used towards the purchase of a portable multi-threat monitor system that is capable of detecting a wide array of dangerous and/or explosive conditions for one of our Natomas fire engines which retails for $3,500 and a product to assist our local police officers with field investigations.

The goal is to present these gifts at a special award ceremony commemorating 9/11 during the Witter Ranch Community Alliance National Night Out event on August 2.

NNO Letter to Prospective Donors

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Kudos: Isabel Flores Honored

THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

Natomas resident Isabel Flores has received the Support Groups and Service Clubs Award as one of the unsung heroes who works behind the scenes to make Sacramento a better place.

Flores was honored at the Fifth Annual Molina Healthcare of California Community Champions Awards Dinner on July 4.

ISABEL FLORES

Six everyday heroes including Flores were honored for their extraordinary service and civic contributions. Each honoree received a grant to be given to an organization of their choosing and a Molina Healthcare of California Community Champions Award trophy, named in honor of Molina Healthcare’s physician founder, Dr. C. David Molina.

“Isabel has been vital in providing resources and information for the Spanish-speaking community," said Lisa Rubino, president of Molina Healthcare of California. "Her level of commitment to her job and her community is unwavering.”

Flores works with the American Cancer Society’s Ventanilla de Salud program and provides cancer information and education to the medically under served Spanish-speaking community. Once a month, Flores organizes a health fair to ensure everyone receives the medical care they need, whether it be a check-up, screening or flu shot.

Other recipients of a Molina Healthcare Community Champions Award were:

• Pastor Troy Marshall – Faith-Based Organization Award
• Vickie Guanzon – Education Award
• Carolina Rojas-Gore – Healthcare Media Award
• Katie Laackmann – Volunteer Award
• Melissa Binger – Advocacy and Civic Leaders Award

More than 200 people attended the awards dinner and festivities, which included entertainment by SPAGHETT and the Travis Air Force Base Honor Guard.

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Power Outage In South Natomas

THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

Residents in the River Oaks area of Natomas experienced a brief power outage Tuesday night when a car crashed into a power pole off Garden Highway.

"I heard a loud pop then the power flickered about six times and now nothing," one resident posted on Facebook after 9 p.m. "There were sirens after the loud bang so something must have happened."

Another resident reported to The Natomas Buzz that a vehicle hit a power pole on Garden Highway, causing a transformer to blow and starting a small grass fire.

Power was restored to the area in about an hour - faster than estimated Sacramento Municipal Utility District when the outage first occurred.

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2011-12 Property Tax Rolls Released

THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

The 2011-12 property tax assessments were completed July 1, the Sacramento County Assessor's Office announced today.

Upon review, many of the 189,700 residential, commercial and apartment properties resulted in adjusted values. The adjustments, allowed by Proposition 8, will be reflected on tax bills issued in October. This is the fifth consecutive year of widespread Proposition 8 reductions in Sacramento County, including properties in the Natomas region.

Value reductions are temporary and must be reviewed each year to determine whether the fair market value remains less than its Proposition 13 base year value (typically the amount for which property was purchased).

The Assessor's Office will accept requests for Proposition 8 review on residential and agricultural properties between July 5 and Nov. 30, 2011. Requests will not be accepted for commercial and apartment properties.

Assessed value information for all Sacramento County parcels is now available on the Assessor’s web site “Parcel Viewer” application. For more information, click here for the Assessor's website or visit the office in person 8 a.m. To 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 3701 Power Inn Road, Suite 3000.

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4th Of July - Natomas Style!

PHOTO BY BONNIE EARLY

THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz 

Jaydon Vasquez spins handfuls of sparklers during an Independence Day celebration last night in Natomas Crossing with neighbors and friends.

Have 4th of July photos you'd like to share? Send them to us at natomasbuzz@yahoo.com.

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Eye On Natomas: Sunflower Fields Forever

THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

Sunflower fields photographed today by reader Nancy K. at El Centro and San Juan roads are a sure sign of summer in Sactown.

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Farewell To Natomas Neighbor, Volunteer & Father

CHRIS GARRETT WITH HIS FAMILY IN HAWAII AFTER HIS DIAGNOSIS.

THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

More than 300 people attended a June 4 memorial to pay tribute to Christopher "Chris" Garett after which many reported seeing spectacular rainbows in the sky nearby.

"He will be remembered as someone who was a kind and helpful person to everyone," said Julie Garrett. "He had a great sense of humor and his attitude about this dreadful tumor was positive up until the morning he died."

Chris, 46, lived in Natomas for 10 years with his wife, Julie and two children, Dillon and Sierra. He volunteered as an assistant soccer coach for his son's team for four years and was active in the Cub Scouts. He could often be seen timing races for the Raingutter Regata or helping with the racetrack and cars at the Pinewood Derby. And, on occasion, Chris could even be found at a Daisy Girl Scout meeting or activity with his daughter.

Chris was diagnosed with a gliobastoma multifome brain tumor in March 2010. He underwent surgery, six weeks of radiation and months of chemotherapy. While off work he loved being able to walk his children to school every morning and, at times, volunteer in both their classes at Natomas Park Elementary School.

"We took a number of family trips during the past year to create a lot of memories for the kids," said Julie Garrett. "In other words, Chris lived life to the fullest!"

Chris worked at Emerson Junior High School in Davis, Calif. where he taught mathematics, coached basketball and served as activities director. The teachers at Emerson have decided to honor Chris with a “Hawaiian Shirt Day” each year on his birth date and the school also created an annual award in Chris' honor which will be given to a top math student with a good sense of humor and a positive attitude.

Chris passed away on May 18.

• Click here to visit a tribute page created by Chris' students on Facebook.
• Click here to read Chris' obituary in The Sacramento Bee.

FIFTH INNING AT SF GIANTS GAME ON JUNE 10.

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Happy Birthday, Twin Rivers USD

THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz

July 1 marks the third anniversary of the Twin Rivers Unified School District's formation.

The district serves approximately 27,000 preschool through adult ed students. The district encompasses 120 square miles which includes five campuses along the Northgate Boulevard corridor.

Accomplishments to date include:

• 10% increase in graduation rates
• District-wide API growth of more than 20 points (triple the average district growth)
• Closing the achievement gap at a faster pace than any area district
• Drop-out data shows a decrease to 3.76% for the one-year rate and an estimated 12-13% for the four-year rate

Happy Birthday, Twin Rivers Unified School District!

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Sister Jeanne Celebrates 35 Years

SISTER JEANNE ON HER FIRST DAY AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IN 1976.

THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz 

Think of Stanford Settlement and Sister Jeanne Felion undoubtedly comes to mind.

"Sister Jeanne and the Stanford Settlement are part of Sacramento's commitment to community, service and kindness," District 1 Councilwoman Angelique Ashby said. "The programs provided to the guests mean so much to each participant's quality of life and well-being. Congratulations on this most recent milestone and thank you for your many years of dedication!"

For more than three decades Sister Jeanne has led the Gardenland-Northgate area non-profit since 1976 with spunk and a smile. The Standford Settlement board of trustees recently paid tribute to Sister Jeanne by celebrating her 35th anniversary as executive director during their annual dinner.

Sister Jeanne is responsible for developing Standford Settlement's programs, policies and budgets for review and consideration by board trustees. The nun also provides day-to-day direction for the non-profit's children, teen and senior programs. 

Founded in 1936 by the Sisters of Social Service Stanford Settlement has been in the Gardenland-Northgate area since 1963 and at its current West El Camino Avenue site since 1975.

"Stanford Settlement has been privileged to have had Sister Jeanne as its executive director since 1976," said Tom Dekker president of the board, Stanford Settlement Neighborhood Center. "Her many contributions and her undying devotion and dedication to the community has proved to be invaluable."

The children and teen programs help high-risk young people learn skills necessary to become responsible and productive members of the community. The senior program provides seniors with healthy aging activities meant to prevent isolation.

Sister Jeanne's accomplishments during her appointment include the planning, development and building of a senior center in 1996. She also led the way 13 years later, when a new 10,600 square-foot teen center was built and opened in 2009.

FRAN DEKKER, TOM DEKKER, CRAIG KIELBORN, AND SISTER JEANNE.

CORTEZ QUINN PRESENTS SISTER JEAN WITH A RESOLUTION IN HER HONOR.

SISTER JEANNE WITH SISTER CELESTE ARBUCKLE, ALSO A SISTER OF SOCIAL SERVICE.

SISTER JEANNE 35 YEARS LATER!

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Police Nab Natomas Burglary Suspects

THE NATOMAS BUZZ | @natomasbuzz


The Sacramento Police Department today arrested three suspects for a burglarizing the Best Buy store in Natomas and stealing more than a dozen iPADs.

Early this morning, at about 1:10 a.m., officers responded to an alarm call at the Best Buy store on North Freeway Boulevard. Upon arrival, the officers observed two suspects carrying merchandise from the store and getting into a Jeep Cherokee driven by a third suspect.

Police attempted to stop the vehicle but when the supect driving did not yield, a pursuit onto westbound Interstate 80 ensued. During the pursuit, which reached speeds up to 80 mph, the suspects began throwing allegedly stolen iPADs out of the vehicle and onto the freeway near the Mace Boulevard exit in Davis, Calif.

The California Highway Patrol took over the pursuit and the Davis Police Department assisted by placing a spike strip on the freeway near Richards Boulevard. The suspects were successfully stopped and taken into custody without further incident.

Officers were able to collect iPADs from the freeway and believe between 10 to 20 were taken. A precise count was not possible immediately due to damage to the electronics.

Similar burglaries have occurred at Best Buy stores in neighboring cities and the San Francisco Bay Area in recent weeks. Sacramento police said it is unknown whether the suspects arrested today are connected to any of  those crimes.

The suspects arrested are only being identified as three black men in their 20s to 30s, from the Bay Area, two of whom are on parole. The suspects were arrested on suspicion of burglary, parole violation, and the driver for the pursuit.

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