Pacific Progressive

Dana Point Discussing Short Term Vacation Rentals on September 9

On September 9, at 6 PM, the Dana Point Planning Commission will discuss land use standards for short term vacation rentals.  It is expected that this workshop will be followed by further discussion at a future Planning Commission meeting. It is anticipated that the Planning Commission will recommend changes in the Municipal Code about short term vacation rentals.

The Dana Point Planning Commission meets at 34052 Del Obispo Street, Dana Point, CA.

Innovative Waste Diversion Projects Funded

Landfills can only hold so much and that is all the landfill does - hold the garbage.  Many types of "garbage" can actually be reused or recycled.  Over $2.5 million for waste diversion programs to create composting, recycling and other opportunities to avoid putting more garbage in the landfill were funded through a recent grant from the Orange County Board of Supervisors.

City of San Clemente - Commercial Food Waste Diversion Program. Restaurants will Receive Bins and Weekly Collection. $400,000 

Mission Viejo - Commercial Food Waste Diversion Program. Process Organic Materials (Food) in Dehydration System. On-site System will Reduce Carbon Footprint - $400,000 

City of Cypress - Multi-Family Commercial Recycling Program $378,245 

City of Anaheim -  Multi-Family Commercial Recycling Program $234,238 

Dana Point Needs a Planning Commissioner

The City of Dana Point encourages all qualified individuals to apply for the vacant position on the Dana Point Planning Commission. The term for this position will expire March 31, 2011. 

To be eligible for appointment, applicants must be registered voters and residents of the City of Dana Point. All applications must be received by September 14, 2009 at 5:30 PM. In addition to the application, there is also the opportunity to complete a voluntary, supplemental questionnaire. Completed applications must be sent to the City of Dana Point, City Clerk's Office, 33282 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, California 92629.

The application is available on the city website.

For more information regarding the vacancy on the Planning Commission, please contact Kathy Ward, City Clerk at (949) 248-3505 or email[email protected].

Dana Point Encourages Use of Bio-Bags to Reduce Litter

Recently, City Council initiated a new program that asks Dana Point to take a pro-active approach towards reducing litter, protecting water quality and the environment. This program encourages the business community to use alternative packaging products in place of Styrofoam - such as those made of recycled paper, cornstarch, rice, potato starch, or sugarcane stalk. Unlike Styrofoam, these products are biodegradable or can be recycled, and cause less damage to the environment.

Consumers and residents can do their part too! Free, reusable bags are available to Dana Point residents (one per family please) and can be picked up at City Hall or the Community Center on Del Obispo. Take the bags when going shopping, and help save the environment by reducing the use of plastic bags. Need more? Please contact Lisa Zawaski at (949) 248-3584 or [email protected].

The City is actively working with local business organizations, such as the Chamber of Commerce, on education and outreach to promote this new program. For more information on these efforts, please contact Lynn Kelly at (949) 248-3512 or [email protected].

Science No Longer Under Siege at EPA

EPA is working to put the safety of the public back on top as a priority for decision making.  At recent hearings of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works http://epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Home.Home  chaired by Sen. Barbara Boxer http://boxer.senate.gov/ , the changes in determining "safe levels" of toxic chemicals were addressed. 

 Sen Boxer stated, "In recent years, science has been under siege.  From clean air to perchlorate to children's health in general, decisions that should have been based on recommendations of scientific experts were weakened or derailed by political interference."

EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson discussed problems which have occurred under previous administrations,"While the laws that EPA implements leave room for policy judgments, the scientific findings on which of these judgment are based should be arrived at independently using well-established scientific methods, including peer review, to assure rigor, accuracy, and impartiality.  This means that policymakers must respect the expertise and independence of the Agency's career scientists and independent advisors while insisting that the Agency's scientific processes meet the highest standards of quality and integrity."  

The full testimony is available at http://epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Hearings.Hearing&Hearing_ID=a3282f69-802a-23ad-4b7b-256cc6378cf1.  Testimony is available in written and streaming video forms.

Dana Point's FY 09-10 Budget Hoping for a Soft Hit

Dana Point's FY 09-10 budget is hoping to be hit soft by the downturn in real estate and hotel occupancy.  Dana Point remains fairly optimistic on property taxes not taking as much as a hit as inland cities because the city has unique coastal appeal.  http://www.danapoint.org/index.aspx?page=1

The city also banks on high end resort hotels for transient occupancy tax revenue.  One of the hotels, the St. Regis, is possibly up for foreclosure sale.  The market for high end hotel rooms is very soft because tourist and corporate travel dollars have shrunk.  As a result, transient occupancy tax revenue will be down this year.  This revenue stream will recover once the economy recovers enough to allow spending on luxury travel to happen.

Dana Point's budget is taking in about $5 million less than the same time last year, but only spending about $2 million less.  The city showing increases in budgets for most departments. Non-departmental, which is software, printers, phones, mailing, and potted plant rentals, is taking the biggest hit at losing over $3 million from the budget.

A summary comparing the FY 08-09 and FY 09-10 budget during June of each year follows.

OCTA Transit Cuts

http://www.octa.net

Here's a list of what is being cut by the OCTA during 2009.  This is very, very long (about 20+ pages if you're printing it.)

Summary of OCTA June & September 2009 Service Cuts

(Does not include Night Owl Service discontinuation.)

May 28, 2009

Prepared by Reggie Mundekis, [email protected]

What is Impacted

154 Schools & Colleges 

53 Shopping Centers

27 Medical Facilities

40 Employers & Office Parks

52 Government Facilities

52 Recreation & Other Facilities

32 Transportation Centers & Connectors 

OCTA Cutting Our Chances of Economic Recovery - Pt 2

OCTA  http://www.octa.net/ will make more cuts in September 2009, in addition to the June 2009 cuts.  This round of cuts will impact your ability to get to:

• 129 Schools and Colleges 
• 43 Shopping Centers, Malls, and Shopping Districts 
• 19 Hospitals and Medical Facilities 
• 32 Employers and Office Parks 
• 39 Civic Centers, Senior Centers , Libraries and other Government facilities
• 24 Park & Rides and Transit Connectors 
• 40 Parks, Beaches and other destinations

These cuts make it difficult to get to work, go to school, obtain medical care, go shopping for food and clothing, get books from a public library, get to a park or beach, and conduct business with the government.  If you depend on the bus, you are slowly being cut off from being able to compete in our local economy.

Trip Frequency and Service Reductions Starting September 2009

Starting in September 2009, replan your trip if you need to get to these destinations.  You can still get there, but it may be tricky, depending on when you need to be there, how long you need to stay, and what other connections you need to make to arrive at your final destination.  Here are the details:

Dana Point's FY 2008/09 Budget Hoped for Hotels

Look at the Dana Point FY 2008/09 budget and you notice that 95% of the revenue is General Fund Revenue. And almost 35% of this revenue comes from Transient Occupancy Tax.  In the current downturn, Dana Point is hurting.  Property Taxes make up

Resorts & Budgets in Dana Point

Dana Point is working towards a solution to deal with an over 10% drop in General Fund revenue. Dana Point is being hit hard in the downturn because over one-third of the General Fund revenue comes from the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT).  During the first eight months of  FY 2009 (July 2008 - February 2009), TOT declined over 14% from FY 2008's near record levels.  The collection of a $3/night surcharge on selected hotel rooms starting in 2010 will not be used to close the budget gap.

Tourism in Dana Point is unique because of the emphasis on upscale, overnight resort-type destinations rather than a mix of properties which appeal to locals or more moderate budgets.  Approximately 70% of the hotel rooms are contained in the Ritz Carlton,