Yolo Sun recap of Freeman Park meeting missing city's intent for multiplex parking; closed sessions start tonight after recess

Why is the city discussing price and terms for Petrovich's Cinema West property that is located a half block from Freeman Park? See the agenda item by clicking here. To be discussed tonight in closed session for price and terms are 801 Main Street, APN 057-170-04 and APN 027-852-005.

801 Main Street is Petrovich's Cinema West site.

APN 057-170-04 is Petrovich's riverfront intake site that councilman Bill Marble claimed wasn't part of Woodland's $42 million share of the WDCWA contracts.

APN 027-852-005 is the 22-acre New Woodland Partners site rejected for annexation by the city, yet is adjacent to Petrovich's proposed Gateway II 154-acre annexation. Petrovich is the "Woodland Development Company."

Looks like the back-door deals are already cooking after a month-long break at city hall.

About the newest Yolo Sun installment

Usually a report from the Yolo Sun includes a bit of insight relevant to city's actions vs. city's motives. The article below, much better than the Daily Democrat report, provides a broad overview of what the City of Woodland would like citizens to believe is a good faith attempt at redevelopment. Missing from the article, however, is how this Freeman Park project – disguised as a farmers market - is really a way to replace some of Cinema West's obligation for adequate multiplex parking.

The Yolo Sun article does not question why $350,000 of redevelopment money was allocated for the park project by city council on June 21 when only $50,000 for design only was recommended by staff. Why did the city council (posing as the redevelopment agency) approve 700% of the proposed resolution? Because the intent of this farmers market facility is to build a parking lot that will be used one day out of each summer week by the market and will be used seven evenings a week throughout the year by the multiplex that will be a half block away.

When asked about the inflated allocation, short-timer Mark Deven (city manager) stated, "As far as the Farmers Market/Freeman Park project is concerned, the staff recommendation was to allocate money for a design only. The Board majority disagreed with that recommendation and approved an allocation that contributed bond funds for the estimated cost of the entire project.

Here are excerpts from the Yolo Sun article "City takes initial step to revitalize Freeman Park:"

Woodland’s latest attempt to install and foster a viable, local farmers’ market, this time using significant redevelopment money, began last Saturday with a small group of participants easily managing to express and register with attending municipal staff (taking copious notes) most of the salient issues relevant for establishing Freeman Park as a valid venue for such a market, as well as a prominent fixture of the historical downtown area.

Consensus is also apparent regarding the basic design structure for the major portion of this proposed new park – market facility: a solid roof protecting from direct sun, rain / wind, while complementing the park’s ambiance / presence, and including convenient sources of electricity and water.

Note: It's likely the major portion of this project will be the parking lot as directed by city staff.

Read the rest at YoloSun.wordpress.com.

WR archive, July '09: 90% of Yolo County gang population is Norteño and Sureño

The headlines of the July, 2009, edition of the Woodland Record read:

Gangsters: Over 900 in Woodland

90% of Yolo County gang population is Norteño and Sureño

WesSac has 116 validated Broderick Boys/Norteños

Read about the gang problem that has been prevalent in Yolo County and Woodland for many years.

Harvey Brown and Brown Brothers at Opera House Saturday

From the Woodland Record:

Harvey Brown and the Brown Brothers will be performing at the Woodland Opera House this Saturday, August 6 at 7:30.

Harvey Brown and the Brown Brothers have been performing Good Old Country Western music up and down the Sacramento valley for over five decades. Harvey and his brothers have appeared at the California State Fair, the Yolo County Fair, the Sutter County Fair, and UC Davis. In the 70's and 80's the boys could be heard on local radio from time to time.You might remember Harvey Brown and The Sidewinders playing all over Yolo County in the 70's, 80s, and 90's performing at several community events such as, weddings, rodeos, grand openings, fundraisers and charity events. Harvey Brown's heart and soul is in every performance, "Every place we played was important, no matter how large or how small."

Read more at WoodlandRecord.com.

Farm Bureau press release

What part of this is not clear? "Permission for use is granted, however, credit must be made to the California Farm Bureau Federation when reprinting this item." This is noted with the CFBF press release shown here.

From the California Farm Bureau Federation:

Judge orders more study of highway project's impact on farmland

Additional planning will be required to minimize impacts on farmland and the environment from a proposed Yolo County highway project, as the result of a court ruling released late last week.

From the Woodland Record:

Sac judge responds to Farm Bureau suit: More studies needed for Hwy 16 widening in Capay
Courtesy article – By the California Farm Bureau Federation

Additional planning will be required to minimize impacts on farmland and the environment from a proposed Yolo County highway project, as the result of a court ruling released late last week.

From the Daily Democrat:

Hwy. 16 widening in Capay Valley stalled by court, Judge orders more study by Caltrans
By Democrat Staff

Additional planning will be required to minimize effects on farmland and the environment from a proposed Yolo County highway project, as the result of a court ruling released late last week.