May 2007 Newsletter

May 2007 Issue

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Mayor Autry
State of the City Luncheon
May 24, 2007

Please slow down and drive safely in construction cone zones!

Click to view pdf

Going Green
For information on emerging energy-efficient and Green building products & strategies in the City of Fresno call (559) 621-8500

Help Combat Graffiti
in our City by calling:
(559) 621-TAGS

For questions or concerns regarding City services, Mayor Autry encourages you to call:
(559) 621-CITY

If you would like to contact the Mayor, please visit:
Office of Mayor website

City Services Links

Fresno Yosemite
International Airport

Fresno Area Express

Parks & Recreation

Development Depart.

Police Department

Fire Department

Mayor’s Cup Coed

Softball Tournament Results

Natl. Public Works

Week Celebration
at City Hall

May 22, 2007

Click image to view City Employment Opportunities

Immigration Resolution Approved by COG

At the April 27^th meeting of the Council of Fresno County Governments (COG), Mayor Alan Autry presented his resolution opposing the U.S. Government’s immigration raids. It was adopted unanimously by the COG Policy Board, whose membership of elected officials represents the interests of the entire County of Fresno and includes more than 15 of the largest cities within our County.

Iimmigration raids, including the most recent on Thursday, April 26, 2007 in Firebaugh, prompted discussion among the COG members. The language in the resolution, while supporting the intent of the U.S. Government Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to remove dangerous or potentially dangerous immigrants residing in the United States illegally, condemns the resulting intimidation and removal of productive residents who benefit the regional economy.

Bringing the Basics Back to Education

Far too many of our kids are doomed to academic failure when their educational needs are not met. We cannot continue to operate in a one-size fits all model dictated by the State of California. On April 25, 2007, Assembly member Juan Arambula and Mayor Alan Autry presented an alternative accountability model, AB 1403, to the Assembly Education Subcommittee.

This bill establishes a San Joaquin Valley District Improvement Pilot Program that would empower County Superintendents by giving them the oversight and authority over school districts in their county, allowing them to redirect their resources where they are needed most. The bill passed by a 10- 0 vote and will move on to the Appropriations Committee before any votes take place in either the Assembly or the Senate. While the 10-0 vote is good, there is still more work to be done.

Downtown Charter Schools

The community’s quality of life and the future vitality of Fresno are inextricably connected to the quality of Fresno’s education system. As of August 2007, two new charter school choices will be available to provide innovative educational options to students and their families who live and work in downtown.

The Valley Arts and Science Academy (VASA) will emphasize the arts and provide hands-on science experiences and more individual instruction for kindergarten through sixth grade. VASA emphasizes learning rather than testing and balances core academic subjects – physical education, music, the visual and dramatic arts and sciences - as an exciting alternative to programs focused narrowly on reading and math test preparation.

The Fresno Academy for Civic and Entrepreneurial Leadership (ACEL) will concentrate on ninth grade students. The Academy will feature personal learning plans related to each student’s career and education goals, with an emphasis on civic responsibility and community service.

At a press conference announcing the opening of these two schools, Mayor Autry stated, “The City’s priorities of recruiting families and businesses to the City’s urban core are dependent on quality educational resources to support these efforts. The City of Fresno supports the growth of quality public charter schools whose purpose is to foster innovation, academic achievement and accountability, free from the many rules and regulations that apply to traditional public schools.”

Fresno is Going Green

After many months of staff time devoted to research and meetings with community stakeholders, ‘Fresno Green’ was created and presented to the community at a press conference hosted by Mayor Autry and Council President Henry T. Perea.

‘Fresno Green’ is the environmental plan created to support the existing General Plan that promotes significant conservation of natural, physical, historical and cultural resources. The document addresses five key components: New City Beautiful, Sierra View 2025, Solar Valley, Green Enterprises and Economic Development and City as Good Steward.

‘Fresno Green’ is a working document from which the City and other stakeholders can work from to address some of the most sensitive and complex environmental challenges to protect and preserve our environment.

Go to www.fresno.gov to view the entire Fresno Green document.

ExpressJet Service Launches in Fresno

Valley residents wishing for quality, non-stop transportation to Ontario will get their wishes answered beginning Monday, April 30^thwhen ExpressJet launches their jet service from Fresno Yosemite International Airport. Direct flights to San Diego are scheduled to begin later this month.

Mayor of Livingston Honors City of Fresno

Mayor Gurpal Samra of the City of Livingston requested the opportunity to publicly offer his thanks and gratitude to the City of Fresno, Mayor Autry and Police Chief Jerry Dyer for their interagency collaboration efforts on graffiti abatement.

A press conference was held for the public display of appreciation where staff from Livingston’s graffiti and public works teams showcased their new graffiti abatement vehicle next to the City of Fresno’s vehicle, upon which the Livingston vehicle was based.

This is another example of Team Fresno giving the best every day through leadership and innovation.

City Awards and Honors

The Economic Development Department’s FresnoStartUp.com and Municipal Restoration Zone (MRZ) Programs Received the Award of Merit from the California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED):

This statewide Award of Merit honors, celebrates and recognizes successful economic development programs, projects, and partnerships.

CALED is California’s premier professional economic development organization dedicated to advancing its members’ ability to achieve excellence in delivering economic development services to their communities and business clients.

Central Printing Receives Bronze Award from In-Plant Printing and Mailing Association for City Brochure:

The Central Printing Division of General Services received the award in the non-offset category for printing the recruitment brochure for City Public Works Director on behalf of the City Personnel Department.

Fresno/Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility (RWRF) received the "2006 Plant of the Year” award.

The California Water Environment Association (CWEA) plant of the year award recognizes accomplishments with regard to discharge compliance, innovative practices, cost effectiveness, management systems and superior plant operations.

The Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility (RWRF) also received the 2006 Plant Safety Award from the California Water Environmental Association (CWEA).

The CWEA plant safety award is based on exceptional safety record for number of personal injury and quality and effectiveness of the safety program of the wastewater facility.

City Staff Receive Awards for 2006 Supervisor of the Year and Electrical/Instrumentation Person of the Year from the Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facilities (RWRF)

Rick Staggs, Chief of Wastewater Operations for the RWRF was awarded 2006 Supervisor of the Year for 2006.

Supervisor of the year recognizes a supervisor in the wastewater industry for their leadership abilities, problem solving and communication skills.

Frank Rascon placed second as the Electrical/Instrumentation Person of the Year.

Electrical/Instrumentation person of the year is recognized for their knowledge and skills of the electrical and instrumentation equipment and their personal contribution to projects at the facility.

Mayor on the Move

4/18 Held a press conference to announce the establishment of a temporary homeless facility in Downtown Fresno.

4/18 Participated in a meeting with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to discuss the recent immigration raids in the Valley.

4/19 Addressed the st udent body ofMalloch Elementary School.

4/20 Participated in a press conference announcing two new charter schools that will open in Downtown Fresno.

4/24 Attended the Senate Natural Resources & Water Committee hearing in Sacramento to support SB 59, which would ask voters to spend money on two dams, including one at Temperance Flat, upstream of Friant Dam.

4/25 Attended the Assembly Education Committee hearing in Sacramento to present, alongside Assemblymember Juan Arambula, AB 1403 that presents an alternative accountability model for education.

4/26 Held a press conference presenting the “Fresno Green” plan to
the community.

4/26 Presented a resolution to the Council of Fresno County Governments (COG) opposing the immigration raids by the federal government.

4/26 Presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. A.P.S. Sidhu at the Heroes in Healthcare Awards Banquet hosted by Business Street.

4/27 Participated in the Fire Department Academy graduation
ceremony.

4/27 Attended a press conference where Mayor Gurpal Samara of the City of Livingston thanked the City of Fresno for assistance with the creation of Livingston’s graffiti abatement vehicle.

For more information visit the City of Fresno website: http://www.fresno.gov

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