A model for Hudspeth County drilling?
Friday, February 27, 2015
Thursday, February 26, 2015
On the Other Hand, NOT So Good News
The Open Space Advisory Board agenda for next Wednesday, March 4th, does not contain an item for discussion and action on the scheduled building of a trash collection station next to Keystone Heritage Park. The Chairwoman, Katrina Martich, had promised at the last meeting that the item would be on the agenda. Apparently, Rep. Cortney Niland, has interfered. Here is an email from City Planning's David Coronado:
From: Coronado, David A.
Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2015 11:06 AM
Good morning,
I’m sending you a copy of the draft agenda for next week’s OSAB meeting. Please let me know if you have any changes.
The only item that I know is not included in this is the Keystone MSC proposed expansion. I reached out to Ms. Niland’s office earlier this week and she asked if the Board can hold off on taking an action at this time. She wants to reach out to residents and the Board herself at a later date. Her office will coordinate those efforts when they are ready to do that. I will make sure to contact Mr. Wakeem and let him know of this as well so that he can perhaps be the Board’s liaison on these efforts moving forward.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Best,
David
Let me be clear. The Board - not a Rep - determines its agenda. A majority of the Board could force the item back onto the agenda.
Let's see what happens.
BTW, it appears that Cortney Niland will run unopposed for District 8. This is bad news for El Pasoans. Bad news for the future of our water. Bad news for the PSB. Bad news for open space values. Her upcoming fundraiser at the baseball stadium is likely to raise quite a few dollars. Money that she can now save for a run for Mayor. Good Lord deliver us.
From: Coronado, David A.
Sent: Thursday, February 26, 2015 11:06 AM
Good morning,
I’m sending you a copy of the draft agenda for next week’s OSAB meeting. Please let me know if you have any changes.
The only item that I know is not included in this is the Keystone MSC proposed expansion. I reached out to Ms. Niland’s office earlier this week and she asked if the Board can hold off on taking an action at this time. She wants to reach out to residents and the Board herself at a later date. Her office will coordinate those efforts when they are ready to do that. I will make sure to contact Mr. Wakeem and let him know of this as well so that he can perhaps be the Board’s liaison on these efforts moving forward.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Best,
David
Let me be clear. The Board - not a Rep - determines its agenda. A majority of the Board could force the item back onto the agenda.
Let's see what happens.
BTW, it appears that Cortney Niland will run unopposed for District 8. This is bad news for El Pasoans. Bad news for the future of our water. Bad news for the PSB. Bad news for open space values. Her upcoming fundraiser at the baseball stadium is likely to raise quite a few dollars. Money that she can now save for a run for Mayor. Good Lord deliver us.
Good News
At least it appears to be good news. The proof, as you know, is always in the gordita.
The fiasco with the San Jacinto Plaza park has spurred some real action by the City Manager's office. elpasonaturally has learned from several sources that there have been some shake-ups in Engineering. Also, and here is what is delightful, we have learned that Tommy Gonzalez is a tree person as is his wife. I have now heard that from three solid sources. That's good news.
Let's hope that our City Manager will take time to listen and to learn from experts about the planting and proper treatment and pruning of trees. He can find great expertise from the City Arborist, Brent Pearson. He can also find expertise, support, cooperation and partnership from the West Texas Urban Forestry Council. WTUFC's Board is a Who's Who of tree, irrigation, landscaping and sod experts. Brent Pearson is a member of that Board. So is Oscar Mestas, the State's Urban Forester. John White is a former County Extension Agent, a horticulturist and the Curator of the Chihuahuan Gardens at UTEP. Debbie Hradek manages Sites Southwest El Paso office. Jennifer Barr knows irrigation and landscaping. I could go on and on about the Board membership. Here's WTUFC's mission statement:
"The mission of the West Texas Urban Forestry Council is to promote the preservation, health and expansion of community trees in the El Paso region. Together with the friends of WTUFC, 'Los Tree Amigos', we work to promote desert green - shade friendly and water smart."
Mr. Gonzalez needs to work with WTUFC. AND, he needs to revive the City's Tree Board established by Mayor Wardy following the recommendations of his Green Sweep team. That Board was eviscerated by Joyce Wilson and her minion, No No Nanette Smejkal, the former (thanks be to God) Parks and Recreation Director. Tommy Gonzalez would go a long way by re-establishing the Tree Board.
One more thing that our City Manager can do to foster great tree growth in El Paso: make the City Arborist an independent office. Currently Pearson works under Transportation and is ignored by Engineering that ignores everyone any way. (That may be changing with Gonzalez at the helm.) As an independent office with some real powers to oversee the planting of trees and shrubs by the City, good practices for the planting, care and maintenance of trees would be put into practice. Engineering will not be able to ignore him.
Let's do hope that Tommy Gonzalez will turn over a new leaf for the City of El Paso.
The fiasco with the San Jacinto Plaza park has spurred some real action by the City Manager's office. elpasonaturally has learned from several sources that there have been some shake-ups in Engineering. Also, and here is what is delightful, we have learned that Tommy Gonzalez is a tree person as is his wife. I have now heard that from three solid sources. That's good news.
Let's hope that our City Manager will take time to listen and to learn from experts about the planting and proper treatment and pruning of trees. He can find great expertise from the City Arborist, Brent Pearson. He can also find expertise, support, cooperation and partnership from the West Texas Urban Forestry Council. WTUFC's Board is a Who's Who of tree, irrigation, landscaping and sod experts. Brent Pearson is a member of that Board. So is Oscar Mestas, the State's Urban Forester. John White is a former County Extension Agent, a horticulturist and the Curator of the Chihuahuan Gardens at UTEP. Debbie Hradek manages Sites Southwest El Paso office. Jennifer Barr knows irrigation and landscaping. I could go on and on about the Board membership. Here's WTUFC's mission statement:
"The mission of the West Texas Urban Forestry Council is to promote the preservation, health and expansion of community trees in the El Paso region. Together with the friends of WTUFC, 'Los Tree Amigos', we work to promote desert green - shade friendly and water smart."
Mr. Gonzalez needs to work with WTUFC. AND, he needs to revive the City's Tree Board established by Mayor Wardy following the recommendations of his Green Sweep team. That Board was eviscerated by Joyce Wilson and her minion, No No Nanette Smejkal, the former (thanks be to God) Parks and Recreation Director. Tommy Gonzalez would go a long way by re-establishing the Tree Board.
One more thing that our City Manager can do to foster great tree growth in El Paso: make the City Arborist an independent office. Currently Pearson works under Transportation and is ignored by Engineering that ignores everyone any way. (That may be changing with Gonzalez at the helm.) As an independent office with some real powers to oversee the planting of trees and shrubs by the City, good practices for the planting, care and maintenance of trees would be put into practice. Engineering will not be able to ignore him.
Let's do hope that Tommy Gonzalez will turn over a new leaf for the City of El Paso.
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Kill this Vampire or Is It a Zombie?
At a special City Council meeting yesterday, Dr. Noe asked whether the 10% of stormwater money designated for open space could go to finance some projects around the city. He suggested that the money could be borrowed and paid back. Although Diana Drain wasn't mentioned, this was one of the specific projects that the Mayor wanted to address with the open space funds. The Mayor's old proposal which seemingly died on the vine and the recommendation of that proposal subsequently was rescinded by the Open Space Advisory Board.
Emma Acosta (recently I've been agreeing with her) said that voters had designated that 10% for open space and their vote should be respected. Paraphrasing Carl Robinson, he said that people vote on lots of things but it is no big deal to change that vote. The Mayor said that he might try to approach open space people again.
Somebody kill this vampire. Or, is it a zombie that just keeps coming? To take the open space money for something for which is is not designated undermines that fund, the acquisition and preservation of open space, the stormwater utility and the Public Service Board.
Dr. Rick Bonart, a candidate for City Council District 1 and a former PSB member, suggests other ways to finance emergencies such as Diana Drain or flooding along Transmountain or I-10 and so forth:
1. If there are real emergencies John Balliew, CEO of EPWU, could pull from the O&M budget because there is elasticity there.
2. The increase in the stormwater fee should, via revenue bonds, be able to generate more that enough cash - a product of the recent rate increase.
3. Implementing a stormwater impact fee is more appropriate than diverting funds the public specifically voted on and decide to use as open space money.
Dr. Bonart stated unequivocally: "This money [the 10% of the stormwater fee] should be used for genuine open space projects only and that's it.
By the way, HERE is the agenda for yesterday's special council meeting. The conversation drifted from the agenda to flood issues to funding issues to taking open space money. Obviously, until the Council gets the fact that voters (i.e., citizens - and, no, Mr. Robinson you cannot overturn a vote just because you don't like it) designated 10% of their stormwater fees for open space, they can't contemplate its use for something else. More importantly, until they value the preservation of open space, they will continue to contemplate using that money to finance their shortfalls.
Also by the way, there were only 2 citizens from the general public in attendance. Perhaps 30 or 40 staff members were there.
Are these special council meetings (which now seem to be more often) a means to get around public comment and participation? Another vampire. Or a zombie.
Emma Acosta (recently I've been agreeing with her) said that voters had designated that 10% for open space and their vote should be respected. Paraphrasing Carl Robinson, he said that people vote on lots of things but it is no big deal to change that vote. The Mayor said that he might try to approach open space people again.
Somebody kill this vampire. Or, is it a zombie that just keeps coming? To take the open space money for something for which is is not designated undermines that fund, the acquisition and preservation of open space, the stormwater utility and the Public Service Board.
Dr. Rick Bonart, a candidate for City Council District 1 and a former PSB member, suggests other ways to finance emergencies such as Diana Drain or flooding along Transmountain or I-10 and so forth:
1. If there are real emergencies John Balliew, CEO of EPWU, could pull from the O&M budget because there is elasticity there.
2. The increase in the stormwater fee should, via revenue bonds, be able to generate more that enough cash - a product of the recent rate increase.
3. Implementing a stormwater impact fee is more appropriate than diverting funds the public specifically voted on and decide to use as open space money.
Dr. Bonart stated unequivocally: "This money [the 10% of the stormwater fee] should be used for genuine open space projects only and that's it.
By the way, HERE is the agenda for yesterday's special council meeting. The conversation drifted from the agenda to flood issues to funding issues to taking open space money. Obviously, until the Council gets the fact that voters (i.e., citizens - and, no, Mr. Robinson you cannot overturn a vote just because you don't like it) designated 10% of their stormwater fees for open space, they can't contemplate its use for something else. More importantly, until they value the preservation of open space, they will continue to contemplate using that money to finance their shortfalls.
Also by the way, there were only 2 citizens from the general public in attendance. Perhaps 30 or 40 staff members were there.
Are these special council meetings (which now seem to be more often) a means to get around public comment and participation? Another vampire. Or a zombie.
Monday, February 23, 2015
Save El Paso's Valuable Keystone Heritage Park
The City and the PSB respectively own El Paso’s two major nature preserves: Keystone Heritage Park and Rio Bosque Wetlands Park. Both contain wetlands supporting numerous wildlife. Keystone Heritage Park also has a major archaeological site.
These nature sites have been developed and maintained without any public support (i.e., no Parks and Recreation involvement at all) for nearly two decades. Volunteers have done all the work at Keystone.
UTEP manages Rio Bosque, and one staff member has dedicated a substantial part of his time to it for many years. A volunteer group, Friends of the Rio Bosque, organizes support.
Both of these important nature sites face difficulties ahead of the result of plans by the city and the PSB.
The most immediate problem confronts Keystone Heritage Park. The City has five Citizens Collection Stations where items such as hazardous waste and bulky material such as unwanted furniture and appliances can be discarded. Current rules require that the individual put the trash in the 7 ft-high rolloff bins. This, not surprisingly, is difficult for many persons, particularly if large items are involved. So the Environmental Services Department, which manages the collection of trash and recyclables, has come up with a plan for a major re-do of one of these sites – the Westside site, at Atlantic and Doniphan. Unfortunately, this site is next to Keystone Heritage Park.
There are numerous reasons to object to the current design for the expansion, and to the proposed expansion itself, including the possibility of damage to the archaeological site The most important is the blow to the economic future of Keystone, which could be an anchor for ecotourism in the city as well as a quality of life improvement for the residents.
A longer-term issue may face Rio Bosque, as the PSB-owned land to its southeast side is slated for development as an industrial park. This is said to be part of an economic development plan for the city. The future of Rio Bosque as the second link in ecotourism and quality of life apparently is not part of this plan.
Step back and consider how other wildlife refuges have benefitted their communities. The Fish and Wildlife Service reports that the Bosque del Apache in central New Mexico is the major draw of all tourist attractions in Socorro County. “Nonlocal visitors (93 percent) spent an average of $64 per person per day in the local area; local visitors (7 percent) spent an average of $41 per person per day. In 2011, the refuge’s 165,000-plus visitors spent more than $5 million during their stay. This spending, in turn, generated more than $7.6 million worth of state economic activity and supported 94 jobs outside the refuge.”
The Friends of the Bosque del Apache issued a very powerful statement about the importance of such wildlife refuges in general, and in particular that of the Bosque del Apache, noting that “For every $1 of the refuge budget, there is a local economic effect of nearly $8.”
Why would the City of El Paso, and its associated Public Service Board, even consider for a moment undertaking works near Keystone and Rio Bosque that would destroy the long-range future of these potential “green” economic drivers for regional tourism and residential benefit?
- Helen Marshall
For further reading:
The Economic Benefits of of Southern New Mexico's Natural Assets
Sign the Petition
These nature sites have been developed and maintained without any public support (i.e., no Parks and Recreation involvement at all) for nearly two decades. Volunteers have done all the work at Keystone.
UTEP manages Rio Bosque, and one staff member has dedicated a substantial part of his time to it for many years. A volunteer group, Friends of the Rio Bosque, organizes support.
Both of these important nature sites face difficulties ahead of the result of plans by the city and the PSB.
The most immediate problem confronts Keystone Heritage Park. The City has five Citizens Collection Stations where items such as hazardous waste and bulky material such as unwanted furniture and appliances can be discarded. Current rules require that the individual put the trash in the 7 ft-high rolloff bins. This, not surprisingly, is difficult for many persons, particularly if large items are involved. So the Environmental Services Department, which manages the collection of trash and recyclables, has come up with a plan for a major re-do of one of these sites – the Westside site, at Atlantic and Doniphan. Unfortunately, this site is next to Keystone Heritage Park.
There are numerous reasons to object to the current design for the expansion, and to the proposed expansion itself, including the possibility of damage to the archaeological site The most important is the blow to the economic future of Keystone, which could be an anchor for ecotourism in the city as well as a quality of life improvement for the residents.
A longer-term issue may face Rio Bosque, as the PSB-owned land to its southeast side is slated for development as an industrial park. This is said to be part of an economic development plan for the city. The future of Rio Bosque as the second link in ecotourism and quality of life apparently is not part of this plan.
Step back and consider how other wildlife refuges have benefitted their communities. The Fish and Wildlife Service reports that the Bosque del Apache in central New Mexico is the major draw of all tourist attractions in Socorro County. “Nonlocal visitors (93 percent) spent an average of $64 per person per day in the local area; local visitors (7 percent) spent an average of $41 per person per day. In 2011, the refuge’s 165,000-plus visitors spent more than $5 million during their stay. This spending, in turn, generated more than $7.6 million worth of state economic activity and supported 94 jobs outside the refuge.”
The Friends of the Bosque del Apache issued a very powerful statement about the importance of such wildlife refuges in general, and in particular that of the Bosque del Apache, noting that “For every $1 of the refuge budget, there is a local economic effect of nearly $8.”
Why would the City of El Paso, and its associated Public Service Board, even consider for a moment undertaking works near Keystone and Rio Bosque that would destroy the long-range future of these potential “green” economic drivers for regional tourism and residential benefit?
- Helen Marshall
For further reading:
The Economic Benefits of of Southern New Mexico's Natural Assets
Sign the Petition
The Monday Links: Colorado Snow Pack, Smart Building, Gluten and Trees
[Monday is "Links Day" with links gathered over the past week to online "stuff" to read and sites to surf that impact us directly or offer information about our regional issues. Please feel free to send me links to any conservation, environmental, simple living, city planning, energy and water, etc. stories that you have come across online.]
John Fleck's Blog (Definitely bookmark and read.) 2 recent entries:
Bad January, worse February in Colorado, Rio Grande basins (If you only have time to read one of his posts or even one of these links, this is the one to read.)
"half-told stories about the value of water"
Water in the desert, Fountain Hills edition
Megadroughts:
California, Here Dry Come!
Energy Efficient Architecture and Building:
Aggressively Passive Maine Dorm
Off the subject but interesting:
The Real Problem with Bread (It's Probably Not Gluten)
Visit, bookmark and surf these sites:
franklinmountains.org
Open Tree Map
John Fleck's Blog (Definitely bookmark and read.) 2 recent entries:
Bad January, worse February in Colorado, Rio Grande basins (If you only have time to read one of his posts or even one of these links, this is the one to read.)
"half-told stories about the value of water"
Water in the desert, Fountain Hills edition
Megadroughts:
California, Here Dry Come!
Energy Efficient Architecture and Building:
Aggressively Passive Maine Dorm
Off the subject but interesting:
The Real Problem with Bread (It's Probably Not Gluten)
Visit, bookmark and surf these sites:
franklinmountains.org
Open Tree Map
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Tree-gate: Girdling at High Ridge Community Park
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| Click to enlarge image. |
The picture above was taken by someone who knows trees and plants and gardening and owns a dog. Here is his report:
"This is the west side dog park at the bottom (west) end of High Ridge. This is the section for small dogs where I've been walking my dog for the last three years since the official ribbon cutting. The trees that the city Parks Dept. people planted the first year died, so they were replaced the second year. Those trees didn't make it either, so last year the trees, ten of them, were replaced yet again! These trees will never leaf out, because they have been girdled around the base; the living bark has been stripped away by the mowers and/or weed-whackers. This is really ignorance in action. Any suggestions? Call the Mayor?"
Quoting from the Policy and Standards Manual for the Care of Trees and Shrubs in the City of El Paso, section 10.4 (Other prohibited actions):
"Taking any action foreseeable leading to the death of a tree or shrub or permanent damage to its health, including but not limited to excessive pruning, cutting, girdling,poisoning, improper irrigation, unauthorized relocation or transportation of a tree, or trenching, excavating, altering the grade, soil compaction, or paving within the drip line area of a tree." [Emphasis mine]
Usually Parks and Recreation (or, up until recently, General Services) subcontracts the mowing of parks. Were the sub-contractors informed about the prohibitive actions not to mention the entire City's Tree Manual? Were they properly trained? Did Parks and Rec inform and consult with the City Arborist? Did Parks and Rec supervise and/or inspect?
No. No. No. And Hell No.
Three years in a row and ten trees have died each year. Thirty trees! And El Paso needs more trees.
When will Parks and Recreation properly manage our parks and our park trees?
Advice on who to contact: Your City Representative in this case Cortney Niland, nilandcc@elpasotexas.gov. Also, Parks and Rec Director, Tracy Novak, novakta@elpasotexas.gov. Most especially Tommy Gonzalez, TGonzalez@elpasotexas.gov, our esteemed City Manager.
[One warning about Gonzalez. He doesn't know proper tree care either. In an email from him to Fred Lopez and others on December 10, 2014 with subject of San Jacinto Plaza, he wrote: "I saw a tree today that I was told was used for a Christmas tree. It is not representative of a xmas tree. Would you make sure we trim it in the shape of a true xmas tree….don’t make it a Charlie brown tree – but for sure make it triangular. That make sense? Make sure we get that done this week. Thanks! Tommy Gonzalez." More on what email shows about Tree-gate soon.]
BTW, the main search engine for the City web site still won't take you to the Tree Manual. A friend pointed out that one could find it at the Parks and Recreation page. Indeed you can, if you look under "Administration". In essence still hidden. Certainly not intuitive - requires psychic ability. A casual visitor would never take the time to find it.
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