City News

In the Oct.10story “Food,fun and compost,” MichaelSiminitus was mistakenly identified as Michael Seminitus.Furthermore,the quote that read, “When compostable organics decompose naturally,they release methane,which is an essential greenhouse gas,“ was incorrect.The correct quote reads: “Landfilling compostable organics produces methane,a potent greenhouse gas.” The Aggie regrets the error.

At Tuesday’s City Council meeting,councilmembersand the public were treated to a detailed presentation on employee compensation in the city of Davis. With thecurrent national,state and local budget issues,people want to know where their money goes.Lately,this has led to heightened scrutiny across the nation of the compensation of public employees,fromcustodial staff to fire fighters to the city manager.

Among many fiscally controversial measures on the California ballot in November is Proposition3,the children’s hospitalbond act. The proposition authorizes$980million in bonds,to be paid from the state’s General Fund,to fund the renovation and expansion of children’s hospitals throughout the state.

Los Angeles toSan Francisco in two and ahalf hours? Proposition1A promises the first step to an exhilarating220mph high-speed train running between San Diego and Sacramento,with connections to the BayArea,fully functional by2030.

Proposition2aims to give California livestock a bit more legroom. The proposition,if passed,would require farmers to keep egg-laying hens,cows raised for veal and pregnant pigs in areas where they are able to stand up,lie down and fully extend their legs.

Last day to register is Oct.20 Californians who intend to vote in the Nov.4election must be registered to vote by Oct.20.Voter registration forms must be received at your county’s registrar of voters or postmarked by Oct.20.

THURSDAY BUI done right An individual was seen drinking a beer whileriding a bike on Second Street.

Buried under10other ballot measures and a slew of elected offices is Proposition11,California’s legislative redistricting measure. The proposition would give redistricting authority to a new14-member commission,made up of an even mix of party members.This commission would have the responsibility ofre-drawingCalifornia’s legislative districts every10years after the census is completed,a task that is currently left to the state legislature and the governor.

Update on state budget Assistant city manager Paul Navazio gave a presentation outlining the impacts of the adopted state budget on the city’s adopted budget for2008-2009.Biggest impact is on the Davis Redevelopment Agency,which will have to make payments totaling$662,000over the fiscal year.The city will also lose a total of$99,279for law enforcement.

The Davis City Council will meetTuesday at6:30p.m.in the Community Chambers at23Russell Blvd.The following are descriptions of selected agenda items the council will discuss at the meeting.

The future doesn’t look very promising for New Harmony, an affordable housing apartment complex proposed for an empty site in South Davis. The Davis City Council voted last week to delay a decision on the project, citing lack of information on health risks as a prime concern.

Californians have gained360million pounds over the last decade,whileone in three children and one infour teens are overweight or atrisk,according to the California Department of Public Health. In one of the latest efforts to deal with this issue,Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger last week signed Senate Bill1420,authored by Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima),which will require restaurant chains with20or more locations in Californiato post nutrition information on menus and indoor menu boards by Jan.1,2011.This will affect over17,000restaurantsstatewide.