Salida MAC Newsletter - June 2014

LIKE “Salida MAC” on Facebook and follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/SalidaMAC
and sign up to receive our newsletter via e-mail. ~ Katherine Borges, Editor
Video of the May Salida MAC meeting provided by Salida MAC Vice-Chairman, Brad Johnson:
Part 1 https://vimeo.com/96778991 
Part 2 https://vimeo.com/96779660 
Part 3 https://vimeo.com/97825961 
Part 4 https://vimeo.com/97826742 

WIN A TRIP! - Enter our Neighborhood Watch Contest! 
Set up a new neighborhood watch group or hold a meeting for your current group between January 1, 2014 and July 31, 2014, you'll be entered to win a 3 days and 2 nights trip to your choice of one of 20 locations which include Disneyland, Lake Tahoe, Hawaii, etc. courtesy of MainStreetChamber. (Airfare and travel expense to and from is not included. Room tax fees apply, see certificate for additional requirements.) Contest open to Salida residents establishing Salida neighborhood watch groups only. One person entry per group. Salida MAC council members not eligible to win. Contact Deputy Vern Blagg to establish a neighborhood watch group: (209) 652-0356 and to be entered in the contest, send an e-mail with the date of your neighborhood watch meeting to salidamac@gmail.com 

This contest is sponsored by Salida MAC's “Take Back Salida” program, which was launched in January 2014 to combat crime, graffiti, and blight in our community.  If you spot graffiti in our community or would like to request your own graffiti removal kit, please contact: takebacksalida@gmail.com 

Salida Fire District Report - Chief Dale Skiles provided a brief status update on the dissolution of the Modesto Regional Fire Authority (MRFA).  The Salida Fire Protection Board will hold a workshop, likely in August, to invite residents to participate in the direction and future of the Salida Fire Department.
Chief Skiles also shared the process for reporting tall, dry grass to be cleaned up due to it being a fire hazard. Call such weed abatement hazards into: MRFA Fire Prevention (209) 571-5553.

Officer Leon sharing the monthly CHP report at Salida MAC.
(Photo courtesy of: Salida Ca News)

CHP Report - Officer Chuck Leon shared stats that Salida has had 13 traffic collisions which is rather high for this time. Three were minor injuries and there were three hit and runs. Two DUI arrests and one auto theft arrest on Dakota near Murphy Rd. Officer Leon additionally mentioned that he is still patrolling Wallasey Way for speeding, and in other areas where they've received complaints as well, i.e. Fattoria, Whitestone, Pirrone, etc. Officer Leon is still following up with his captain for approval in aiding with the helmet distribution to area schools implemented by Craig Coker. 

Salida Postmaster Report - Postmaster John Paul Cabral gave an update that 13,000 post offices (like Salida's) have reduced their hours as opposed to closing branches. The Senate passed 1486 but its currently stalled in the House of Representatives due to the election. Postmaster Cabral also shared that he's been notifying people that bills are going to pass soon for no more house delivery; everyone, including businesses will have community mailboxes.  He reported that another mailbox had been broken into on Port Alice and Liverno. If residents have home security cameras, please aim one or more of your cameras at the mailbox, that's how the Postmaster has been able to successfully catch mailbox theives in the past. Salida Post Office has two part-time carrier (as needed basis) job openings @ $16.62 per hour. Apply at usps.com 

Salida Sanitary Report - Salida Sanitary Board member Brad Johnson reported that the sanitary district is still paying off some loans on some new pumps and brochures from the Sanitary District are on the back table. 

Salida Chamber of Commerce Report - Jessica Gonzalez, boardmember of the Salida Chamber of Commerce recapped the chamber's successful kick-off party will be held at the Post Restaurant on Friday, April 25. On May 18th, the Salida Chamber voted to partner with Love Salida to offer graffiti abatement to Salida businesses at no charge. The first business to benefit from this program is Ocampo Tires which had a tag removed on the side of its building, and another one was removed from the roll up door. To join the Salida Chamber, which has very affordable membership rates, visit: http://salidacachamber.com/membership/

Nick W. Blom Salida Regional Library Report - Library Branch Manager Diane Bartlett explained that the outside book drop has been broken and apologized for any inconvenience it may have caused. Books can be returned inside or at any of the other twelve libraries while the book drop is being repaired. The Summer reading program has started with something for all ages, the young ones can be read to or if they read for seven days they'll get a prize. Thanks to Friends of the Salida Library, they are eligible for weekly books in the library's weekly book drawing, along with two bicycles which will be given away at the end of the summer. Ages 9-12 can enter a drawing for prizes if they read every day for at least 1/2 hour.  Teens are required to read one hour per day and fill a bingo card to enter the drawing for prizes provided by Boomers and other businesses. Tablets will be given away by the Friends of the Salida Library as one of the prizes for teens and the 9-12 age group as well.  Book Club is held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 10 am, the couponing class is held on the 2nd Saturday of the month at 4 pm. Cupcake decorating will be held on June 14th. Regular events calendar: Zumba - Mondays at 6 pm in the community room. Storytimes will resume June 11 and 12. Extreme science magic will be held June 17 at 4 pm and Make Your Own Flubber 4 pm on June 24. Family Dinner & Movie Night - "The Absent-Minded Professor" on June 17 at 6 pm. Lego Days - June 10 at 4 pm. Ms. Bartlett also announced that a new head librarian has been hired, Diane McDonald.

Special Presentation - Salida Crime Update by Sheriff Adam Christianson - Sheriff Adam Christianson opened by thanking the community for becoming involved in graffiti clean-up for Love Salida, Take

LtoR, back row: Duane Spyksma, Don Schneider, Nanette Spyksma,
Sheriff Adam Christianson, Carlen Jupe, Karen Gorne, and Katherine
Borges. LtoR, front row: Amanda Sorenson, Jessica
Gonzalez, Debby Schneider, Dr. Paul Sessa, and Jared Swanson.
(Photo courtesy of: Salida Ca News)

Back Salida and Neighborhood Watch. He recognized and presented the Sheriff's Award for Excellence in Service to: Debby Schneider, Don Schneider, Duane Spyksma, Nanette Spyksma, Jessica Gonzalez, Karen Gorne, Amanda Sorenson, Jared Swanson, and Carlen Jupe.

Sheriff Christianson shared how the department has had a lot of cuts due to the recession but that's turning around now and the department is hiring again. He reiterated that the sheriff's department will work to restore the staffing levels that they were forced to cut during the economic chaos. He added that it was cost-effective to close the substation on Broadway and he's planning to open the new substation at the Salida Library. The Sheriff's office will provide Salida MAC with crime stats upon request, and the #1 stat reported is "alarm calls", particularly "false alarm calls". For crime prevention, Sheriff Christianson recommended not leaving anything unsecured and participating in Neighborhood Watch. He stated that property and mail theft crimes are fueled by drug addiction. Take the extra step to observe and report. He asked people to take pictures with their cell phones and report suspicious activity. Report suspicious people, vehicles, license plates, taggers to the Sheriff's Non-emergency number (209) 552-2468 or if you witness a crime in progress, call 911. He also praised the CHP for their help in Salida and with traffic related issues and the 911 Emergency Call Center. Sheriff Christianson also recommended subscribing to nixel.com for crime alerts and the department will soon be participant in crimemapping.com  Sheriff Christianson introduced Captain Jim Gordon who is in charge of patrol operations. Capt. Gordon welcomed residents to contact him via Salida MAC.

Salida Annexation Update - The deadline to submit comments for the City of Modesto's General Plan Update and draft EIR (Environmental Impact Report) is May 30, 2014. 

Supervisor District 3 Report - Supervisor Terry Withrow commended Sheriff Christianson and Chief Skiles for the fine job they're doing and dealing with budgeting constraints. Supervisor Withrow reported on the Water Advisory Committee which is working on a groundwater action plan. He invited the public to attend the meeting to be held on May 28, 2014 at 9 am at the Kirk Lindsey Center across from the Brendan Theater. (Modesto Bee article on the water meeting)

Announcements - Correction to an announcement made at the March Salida MAC meeting – Diamond Pet Foods in Ripon is currently installing the cold plasma filtration system to alleviate the odors coming from the plant, but its not operational yet. Received an update today that they expect it to be operational within the next few weeks so for those who live across the river or downwind from the plant, let us know if you notice a difference.

Salida MAC Secretery Ana San Nicholas tendered her resignation at the meeting. If you would like to apply to be appointed to Salida MAC council, contact Supervisor Terry Withrow for an application. Applicants must be a registered voter and live in Salida.

Next Salida MAC Meeting:

Tuesday, June 24, 2014 at 7 pm @ Salida Library Community Room

4835 Sisk Rd. - Salida
Presentation: Neighborhood Watch
by Deputy Vern Blagg

Salida MAC Newsletter - May 2014

LIKE “Salida MAC” on Facebook and follow on Twitter https://twitter.com/SalidaMAC
and sign up to receive our newsletter via e-mail. ~ Katherine Borges, Editor

Public Works Director
Matt Machado

"Take Back Salida" Program -  The 'Take Back Salida' program launched by Salida MAC in January has been widely successful in combating graffiti. Thanks to Supervisor Terry Withrow and Stanislaus County Department of Public Works Director, Matt Machado for graffiti abatement supplies and support!

Salida Fire District Report - Jerry DeBoer, Chairman of the Salida Fire District relayed a message from Chief Dale Skiles that if residents or their neighbors have any tall grass around their fences or houses to report it to Station 14 as its a fire hazard and we're in extremely dry conditions due to the drought. 

Stanislaus County Sheriff Report - Deputy Jason Braley reported that there were a couple of new leads on the home invasion robbery. There's been a significant increase in suspicious persons calls in Salida. Deputy Braley attributed this to wider distribution of the Sheriff's Non-Emergency Dispatch number (209) 552-2468. 

Salida Sanitary Report - Salida Sanitary Board member Brad Johnson reported that the sanitary district purchased new computers and made a payment on the solar dryer.

Salida Postmaster Report - Nanette Spyksma presented the report on behalf of Postmaster, John Paul Cabral. She reported that three mailboxes had been broken into and replaced and then two more were broken in the previous night - one on Sun Glen and one on Pirrone.

Nick W. Blom Salida Regional Library Report - Library Branch Manager, Diane Bartlett shared that the library Zumba is held on Monday nights at 6 pm in the Community Room, Tuesdays are "Family Days" at the Salida Library at either 4 or 6 pm. Join us on May 20 at 6 pm for Family Dinner and Movie Night, the featured film is Disney's "Frozen".  Children can come in their pajamas. Bring a picnic dinner and a blanket to sit on. The library will provide a beverage and popcorn. Storytimes are Wednesdays for ages under 3 at 10 am and 11 am. Storytime for pre-schoolers ages 3-5 are held on Thursdays at 10 am.

Salida Chamber of Commerce Report - Gary Finch, Vice-President of the Salida Chamber of Commerce shared that the Salida Chamber sponsored a freeway clean-up and graffiti abatement for Love Salida with volunteers from Centerpoint Baptist Church. The chamber also provided over 70 hot dog lunches at Salida Park for Love Salida volunteers. The chamber's kick-off party will be held at the Post Restaurant on Friday, April 25 at 6 pm with lots of prizes. 

Stanislaus County Department of Public Works - Director Matt Machado reported that public works averages about 100 miles of road resurfacing a year. But considering we have 1,500 miles of roads which means that they only get around to resurfacing the roads about once every seven years. There is an average of 2,000 accidents and 30 fatalities per year. 2.5 million miles driven on county roads every day. This year Public Works is projected to replace 120 miles of roadways.

Director Machado shared maps of areas that are scheduled to be chip-sealed in Wood Colony and slurry-sealed in Salida this summer.

Below is a recap of the concerns shared at Salida MAC, with responses / solutions to each by Matt Machado. The item (in red) is still being worked on. 

1. Concern - Failed trenches in ROW, Possible Solution discussed at the MAC - require CDF backfill and 3 year warranty - Our plan is to first verify some locations / complaints to determine if there are trench failures.  If so, then we will pursue the contractor who did the work to make repairs.  If unsuccessful then we will look at our standards to make them more stringent.  Can members of the MAC or the public provide specific locations where they believe there are trench failures? 

2. Commercial property owner, adjacent Vizcaya - contact info shared with Vizcaya residents 

3. Concern - at Ladd / Tully all way stop warrant, accident history – 
Our traffic division is updating their data and will be producing a warrant analysis.  This documentation should be complete within the next couple of weeks. 

4. Concern - Tully, south of Ladd at the canal crossing / vertical curve sight distance. 
Our traffic has furthered reviewed and deemed there is no down side to making this a no passing zone.  A double yellow center line will be painted 1000’ before the canal crossing and 1000’ after the canal crossing. 

5. Apparently the worst roads in Salida are off Zinfandel, such as Westwood, Parks, Edgewood, Driftwood. 
A field review was completed in the area around Zinfandel Avenue, an AR Cape would be the best solution at this point in time.  The pavement is pretty cracked up, but has limited base failures.  It's just old.  The rubber chip would do well in holding it together and the slurry would help make the riding surface acceptable for residential use.  This project scope will be looked at the next time we plan to conduct a resurfacing project in Salida, tentatively planned for 2015. 

6. On Murphy near Green Knoll Rd apparently there is a patch that county crews have placed, yet apparently it is in bad shape. 
This location was repaired (twice at least) and staff spoke to the person regarding his complaint. That section of Murphy has been settling for several years. All of the low spots are in line with the sewer trunk, so it appears the sewer line may be causing the problem.  We made need to discuss with the Sewer District regarding some leaking sewer pipe joints. 

7. On Kiernan west of the tracks there is a large pothole. 
This was patched with hydro-patch, due to the cold weather at the time it appears. It has settled some since then so has been touched it up. The work is complete. 

8. Old Paint from HHW for use of graffiti removal -  Keimi called and coordinated with John Martin. 

9. On the corner of Pirrone and Hammett the inside corner is rutted out, cars are tracking dirt and gravel. Will possibly fill with AC.  Apparently the paved corner is a sharp curve / corner - There is a drop off, even though it appears to be pretty wide so we will pave it out with the patch truck.

10. Large pothole on Commons near Harding (MAC member drives to Turlock each day) - Patched 

11.  Status of new signs for Salida and Wood Colony – 

The traffic division and sign division have been swamped with work, roadway safety has taken priority over these signs.  We hope to have them installed within the next couple of weeks. (Sign installation completed on May 15, 2014) Read Ken Carlson's article about the signs in the Modesto Bee, "Wood Colony, Salida welcome signs added"

Salida Annexation Update - At the Modesto City Council voted and approved a comprehensive general plan and EIR update on April 8, 2014. For further information, please see the May 21st EIR meeting info below.

Announcements
May 21, 2014 at 5:30 pm - The City of Modesto is holding a presentation of their draft EIR (Environmental Impact Report) for their city's general plan update. The reason that you are being notified of this is because they are still including Salida in their general plan. 

May 21, 2014 at 7 pm - Salida residents are invited to the Salida Fire Protection District Board meeting for an update and information on the coming changes to Salida's fire service as a result of the dissolution of Modesto Regional Fire Authority (MRFA).

Summer 2014 - Streets in Salida on the east side of 99 will be resurfaced with slurry-seal this summer. Check this link to see if your street is included. Streets in Salida on the west side of 99 are currently being assessed for slurry and possible chip-seal in the Zinfandel-Westwood area for 2015. Since many Salida residents travel through Wood Colony to commute, be aware that several streets in Wood Colony have also been scheduled to receive chip-seal resurfacing this summer.

Next Salida MAC Meeting:

Tuesday, May 27, 2014 at 7 pm @ Salida Library Community Room

4835 Sisk Rd. - Salida
Presentation: Salida Crime Update
by Sheriff Adam Christianson