CITY COUNCIL / LRA BOARD RI V CITY OF RIVERBANK
Mayor/Chair RBA Regular City Council and
Richard D. O'Brien Local Redevelopment Authority
Z
Council/Authority Members:
District 1 -Luis Uribe Board Meetings
District 2- Rachel Hernandez CITY OF ACTION Council Chambers, 6707 Third Si District 3- Leanne Jones Cruz EST. 1922 Suite B
District 4 - Darlene Barber-Martinez Riverbank, CA 95367 TUESDAY, APRIL 23, 2024 - 6:00 P.M.
(THE AGENDA PACKET IS ONLINE AT HTTP://WWW.RIVERBANK.ORG/AGENDACENTER) CALL TO ORDER - Mayor / Chair O'Brien called the meeting to order at 6:00P.M.
2. FLAG SALUTE -Mayor / Chair O'Brien led the pledge of allegiance.
3. INVOCATION - Reverend Charles E. Neal provided the invocation.
4. ROLL CALL - City Clerk Hernandez conducted Roll Call.
Members of the City Council / Local Redevelopment Authority Board present:
Council Member / Authority Member District 1 Luis Uribe Council Member / Authority Member District 2 Rachel Hernandez Council Member / Authority Member District 4 Darlene Barber-Martinez Vice Mayor / Vice Chair District 3 Leanne Jones Cruz
Mayor / Chair Richard D. O'Brien
5. AGENDA CHANGES
No Agenda Changes.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST: Any Council/Authority Member or Staff who has a direct Chinlict of interest on any scheduled agenda item to be considered is to declare their conflict at None Declared.
7. PRESENTATIONS (Informational only)
No Items Scheduled.
PUBLIC COMMENTS (No action can be taken)
su trist mate enterstor to pubi Coul Board. individua comments it be imitato a matinum of 3 minutes (or as stated by the presiding Officer) and time cannot be yielded to another person. Under tate Law, matters presented during the public comment period cannot be discussed or acted upor
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Mayor O' Brien Opened Public Comment at 6:02 P.M.
Karen Conrotto, Modesto Resident I'm here to let you know that / oppose the proposed River Walk Project. It's prime ag land, it's going to be built on a flood plain. That's their plan. There's river wildlife, habitat and a wildlife corridor infrastructure, impact, sewer garbage, water, traffic, pollution and housing concerns. It's leapfrogging its urban sprawl, you already have the land needed. And something that I also want to add something that I don't normally say, that is very difficult for me to say. But, as we went through your neighborhoods and talked to residents, many of them oppose the River Walk project. The majority opposed the River Walk Project. But an overwhelming majority of your residents were very much against the ruining of Ag. Land for this project, many times, we, were told, why you can do this if you want to. You can protest it if you want to. But why bother? You're not listened to. They don't listen to us. They do what they want to. You can try if you want to, but it won't do any good. And I think, you know it's really hard for me to say that, but I think that you should know that that your people feel that way. They said things like we bought out here in Riverbank, because we wanted to live out in the country, wanted our kids to have this kind of a life. But we used to have cows across the street.
We had horses across the street. We had orchards, you know. We drove home through the orchard, you know, along the orchards, and there was also concern with not being able to afford living in Riverbank anymore. So, I'm hoping you know, basically, this project is just in the wrong spot. And I hope that you really consider the impacts of this project on your community and the surrounding communities, the accumulative effect of all the bullding and development that has been going on in the ag landscape. Thank you very much.
Jami Aggers, Modesto Resident in the unincorporated area of Stanislaus County, but within the River Walk proposed project area. I'd like to say tonight that I recently observed the state of the city address, and I'd like to thank the mayor for his substantial comments during the address regarding River Walk. The public took note of his position on the proposed project. Interestingly, prior to the public comment period, closing on May 6th and prior to the matter coming before the City Council quite some time in the future.
The public also took notice of the I'll say it politely, the warning that an urban limit initiative would be both quote "challenged politically and legally" If it happens. To that statement, I'll say that we and the we include people both inside the city limits and outside the city limits, will come back with an urban limit initiative stronger, Not only stronger but bigger.
Thank you very much.
Annabel Gammon, Riverbank Resident commented on her submitted written Public Comment (as attached).
Olivia Arambula, Timeless Real Estate and part of the Riverbank Chamber of Commerce I come up here today to invite you all and everyone out here in the audience, to a multi chamber mixer for the Riverbank Chamber of Commerce. We're hosting here in town at 108 Sports Lounge here on Atchison Street. It's going to be on Thursday, May 2nd from 5:30p.m. to 7:30p.m. So, come on out, bring friends, come all. And then we do have also another tentative, event that's coming up the Riverbank, Chamber of Commerce Business
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Expo and we want to invite all businesses out to join. It's a free event for you to showcase your business. You'll get a table. It's going to be at the Riverbank Community Center on Thursday, June 13th, 2024 and it's going to be located, of course, at 3600 Santa Fe Street, here in Riverbank Community Center. Come on out to that as well. If you are a small business in town, brick & mortar, or at home either way. Come out and showcase your business, so we can all sit there and patronize you, and buy your products and take care of our community. Thank you very much.
Garry Pearson regarding District 3 Park (As Attached)
Garry Pearson regarding the Proposed River Walk Project (As Attached) There being no further public comments, Mayor O'Brien closed the Public Comment period 6:13 P.M.
Item 9.1 Waive Readings. All Readings of ordinances and resolutions, except by title, are waived.
Item 9.2 Approval of the City Council and Local Redevelopment Authority Board Minutes for April 9, 2024.
Item 9.3 Resolution 2024-018 to Waive the Rental Fees for the Community Center and the Community Center Park Gazebo for the Mujeres Mexicanas de Accion Inc. for their Mexico Magico Event.
Item 9.4 Resolution 2024-019 to Waive the Rental Fees for the Plaza Del Rio for the Juneteenth Celebration Event on June 19th, 2024.
Item 9.5 Resolution 2024-020 Approving the Updated Compensation Plan for Part- Time/Temporary/Seasonal Positions Effective May 3, 2024.
Item 9.6 Resolution 2024-021 to Approve and Adopt 2024 City of Riverbank Measure L Expenditure Plan Project List.
There being no public comments, Mayor O'Brien brought the item back to City Council.
ACTION: By motion moved and seconded (Uribe / Jones Cruz 5/0) to approve the consent calendar as presented.
Motion carried by unanimous City Council and LRA Board roll call vote:
AYES: Uribe, Hernandez, Barber-Martinez, Jones Cruz and Mayor O'Brien NAYS: None / ABSENT: None / ABSTAINED:
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10. PUBLIC HEARING
The Public Notice For item 10.1 & Item 10.2 was published on 4/10 in the Riverbank News The Public Notice for Item 10.3 was published on 4/03 & 4/10 in the Riverbank News LRA Resolution Approving the Fiscal Year 2023-24 Mid-Year Budget Item 10.1 Amendments for the Local Redevelopment Authority (LRA)-It is recommended that the Local Redevelopment Authority (LRA) Board of Directors (Board) review and approve the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 LRA Mid-Year Budget Amendments.
Interim LRA Executive Director Bridgewater, gave a comprehensive staff report and PowerPoint presentation on the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 LRA Mid-Year Budget Amendments.
LRA Board discussed the item with staff.
Chair O'Brien Opened the Public Hearing at 6:17 P.M.
Chair O Brien Closed the Public Hearing at 6:17 P.M
There being no public comments, Chair O'Brien brought the item back to the LRA Board.
ACTION: By motion moved and seconded (Barber -Martinez /Uribe 5/0) to adopt LRA Resolution 2024-001 adopting the Fiscal year 2023-2024 Local Redevelopment Authority (LRA) Mid-Year Budget Amendments.
Motion carried by unanimous City Council and LRA Board roll call vote:
AYES: Uribe, Hernandez, Jones Cruz, Barber-Martinez, and Chair O'Brien NAYS: None / ABSENT: None / ABSTAINED: None
Item 10.2 A Resolution to Adopt the Fee Schedule for Cheese & Wine Sponsorships, Programs, and Merchandise. It is recommended that the City Council consider adopting a Resolution to approve the fee schedule for Cheese & Wine Sponsorships, Programs, and Merchandise as seen in Exhibit A.
Director of Parks & Recreation Patton, gave a comprehensive staff report and PowerPoint presentation on the proposed fee schedule for Cheese & Wine Sponsorships, Programs, and Merchandise.
City Council discussed the item with staff.
Mayor O'Brien opened the Public Hearing at 6:23 P.M.
Madisen Eve, Small Business Manager I did want to say I thought the box wine name was actually really cute. I felt like as somebody who is a manager of a small business. / felt like the box wine was fun, and wanted to give people an opportunity, and other businesses that are kind of smaller. So, like, afford to say, and kind of support the
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standpoint. I thought that name was really cute. Thank you.
Mayor O'Brien closed the Public Hearing at 6:24P.M.
There being no further public comments, Mayor O'Brien brought the item back to the City Council.
ACTION: By motion moved and seconded (Uribe / Hernandez 5/0) to approve Resolution 2024-022 adopting the Fee Schedule for Cheese and Wine Sponsorship, Programs, and Merchandise.
Motion carried by unanimous City Council and LRA Board roll call vote:
AYES: Uribe, Hernandez, Jones Cruz, Barber-Martinez, and Mayor O'Brien NAYS: None / ABSENT: None / ABSTAINED: None
Item 10.3 Resolution Authorizing a 9.4% Inflationary Adjustment Increase to the City of Riverbank System Development Fees Based on the Construction Cost Index to be effective May 15, 2024. It is recommended that the City Council continue this public hearing to the next regular City Council meeting on May 14, 2024, due to inaccuracies in the initially published fees. The corrected fees have been reissued, along with a notification for the public hearing scheduled for May 14, 2024. * Item to be Continued.
City Manager Garcia recommended the Public Hearing be continued to the next regular city council meeting, but allow for Public Comment.
Mayor O'Brien opened the Public Hearing at 6:26 P.M.
Mayor O'Brien closed the Public Hearing at 6:26 P.M.
Cour being no public comments, Mayor O'Brien brought the ilem back to the cily Meeting.
Motion carried by unanimous City Council and LRA Board roll call vote:
AYES: Uribe, Hernandez, Jones Cruz, Barber-Martinez, and Mayor O'Brien NAYS: None / ABSENT: None / ABSTAINED: None
11. NEW BUSINESS
The Public Notice for Item 11.1 was published on 4/10 in the Riverbank News.
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Item 11.1 A Resolution Approving the Stanislaus Urban County and Stanislaus Home Consortium Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Annual Action Plan (APP) and Authorize the City Manager to Execute the CDBG and Home Consortium Agreement for Fiscal Year 2024-2025. It is recommended that the City Council open the Community Meeting, accept Public comment, and consider adopting a Resolution approving Stanislaus Urban County and Home Consortium Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Annual Action Plan (AAP) and Authorize the City Manager to Execute the CDBG and HOME Consortium Agreement for Fiscal Year 2024-2025.
Housing Specialist Ibanez, gave a comprehensive staff report and PowerPoint presentation on Stanislaus Urban County and Home Consortium Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Annual Action Plan (AAP).
City Council Discussed item with City Staff.
Mayor O'Brien opened Public comment at 6.43 P.M.
Bianca Lopez, I'm a resident here of Riverbank. I am just wondering how information on these programs and spending is getting to the link, to those who are limited in English proficiency and what the plan is for the city to do, outreach, to educate community members on what you're discussing here today.
Madisen Eve, I don't actually live in Riverbank, but based off of this subject / was wondering if there were any other, you guys had mentioned that there isn't enough housing in the community. In order to push these programs forward. I was just wondering if you guys feel that there's any other sort of situations that you might face while trying to get these programs out to people. And if there's any other obstacles you feel are going to come across your guys' way. Thank you.
Evelyn Halbert, Riverbank Resident, I just have a question, Mayor O'Brien, was speaking about imminent domain. He said he was serious about it. I just wonder how would an imminent domain program work?
Mayor O'Brien closed public comment at 6:58 P.M.
There being no further public comment, Mayor O'Brien brought the item back to City Council.
ACTION: By motion moved and seconded (Hernandez /Uribe 5/0) to adopt Resolution 2024-023 approving the Stanislaus Urban County and Stanislaus Home Consortium Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Annual Action Plan (APP) and Authorize the City Manager to Execute the CDBG and Home Consortium Agreement for Fiscal Year 2024-2025.
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Motion carried by unanimous City Council and LRA Board roll call vote:
AYES: Uribe, Hernandez, Jones Cruz, Barber-Martinez, and Mayor O'Brien NAYS: None / ABSENT: None / ABSTAINED: None
Item 11.2 A Resolution to Approve an Employment Agreement Between the City of Riverbank and Joshua Mann as Director of Community
Development and Authorize the City Manager to Execute the Agreement- It is recommended that the City Council consider adopting a Resolution which will approve an Employment Agreement with Joshua Mann as the new Director of Community Development.
City Manager Garcia gave a comprehensive staff report and PowerPoint presentation on the employment agreement between the City of Riverbank and Joshua Mann as Director of Community Development.
City Council Discussed item with City Staff.
Joshua Mann, would like to thank City Council for the opportunity to serve the City of Riverbank and also thank you to Marisela for making the recruitment process as painless as possible. I'm excited to get started, can't wait to meet the staff and get here on May There being no public comment, Mayor O'Brien brought the item back to City Council.
ACTION: By motion moved and seconded (Jones Cruz / Uribe 5/0) to adopt Resolution 2024-024 approving the Employment Agreement between the City of Riverbank and Joshua Mann as Director of Community Development.
Motion carried by unanimous City Council and LRA Board roll call vote:
AYES: Uribe, Hernandez, Jones Cruz, Barber-Martinez, and Mayor O'Brien NAYS: None / ABSENT: None / ABSTAINED: None
12. COMMENTS/REPORTS
A brief report on notable attendance of a meeting or conference or other notable topics of City business shall be made. The Brown Act does not allow for discussion or action of items by the City Council/LRA Board during this time.
Item 12.1 Staff
City Manager Garcia reported on the following:
Third Annual Founders Day Carnival, which will run from 12:00pm to 5:00pm at the Community Center Park.
• Second Annual health Fair located inside the Community Center from 10:00am to 2:00pm.
Love Riverbank will be having their kick off at 8:00am in the Community Center Gazebo.
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• The Parks and Recreation Department has received 7 applications for their Parks & Advisory Board. Currently, Michael is reviewing those and conducting interviews, and we hope to have some nominees to present to you for appointment at the upcoming meeting.
• On May 14th, as Michael indicated earlier, we'll be coming back to council with an item regarding some of the proposed programs and projects for the Cheese and Wine. Should you have any suggestions, please feel free to reach out to Michael and he can evaluate and incorporate those as part as the conversation. • The River Walk EIR continues to be available for review and public comment. We have extended the public comment period to Thursday, May 16th at 5:00pm.
Item 12.2 Council/Authority Member
Councilmember Hernandez reported on the following:
• This last week Council Member Barber-Martinez and / went to Sacramento for an opportunity to legislate with our state representatives along with Cal cities. We did so as a group with other Central Valley elected officials and you know; one example is visiting with Assembly Member Heath Flora, who's our representative to talk about, the importance of our small communities and the control that we should have over our development. I did plug our Sierra house grand opening, and I'm seeing it on record, he said he would attend our Ribbon Cutting. • I hope everyone comes out after Love Riverbank, we have the Founders Day Carnival, where the Sister Cities Committee is going to have a Dunk tank. We've been mentioning that every time, and so a few of us up here are going to participate in that we encourage you to come out.
Councilmember Uribe reported on the following:
• Love Riverbank this Saturday, just for clarification, one of the projects, the river cleanup. The photo was a little misleading there, it kind of shows people in the river, that's not at all what we'll be doing. You will be on manmade trails on the side of the river. Just kind of picking up trash there, just showing some love for the city.
• Immediately after that, please join us at the Founders Day Carnival, we do have a fundraiser for sister cities. Rachel will be going in the dunk tank from 12 to 1:00pm, the mayor will follow up from 1 to 2:00pm. Randy who's done all the work for the Love Riverbank with the help of a really strong committee, will be going from 2 to 3:00pm. Our Chief will be joining us from 3 to 4:00pm and / will be rounding it out from 4 to 5:00pm. So, pick and choose who you'd like to dunk. Please support and see you all there.
Councilmember Barber-Martinez reported on the following:
• I was able to go to Sacramento to meet with our legislators and representatives, and / was able to talk about the high raising cost of PG&E. And / was asking if there was anything that they could do to try to help us out, because our residents are coming to our city council meetings and asking, is there anything that the city council can do? So, you know, don't know how effective / was, but at least / brought
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it up and let them know that you know we are concerned, and we all are feeling this the same pain of, you know the high rising costs.
• The educational sessions that / went to talked about districting and redistricting, redistricting and: regional approach to homelessness by regional board, and that reminded me of our Stanislaus Homeless Alliance, kind of like the same efforts that we do to try to look at homelessness, and what we can do to not duplicate the same services.
• Then also interim housing solutions. And one of the quotes that I thought was very interesting, and it hit me, made me think was that "Be the best part of someone's day" Made me think a lot about if we could just do that and keep that in mind as we meet someone as we talk to somebody, even somebody that you don't know just be the best part of someone's day.
• For Love Riverbank, cookies will be delivered to our first responders and public service departments and employees, and that's going to be delivered on Thursday, because / won't be here for the weekend. But I do have a lot of volunteers. So, I want to say thank you to everyone that has decided to help me deliver cookies, and I'm sure it'l be much, much appreciated, Thursday10 o'clock at my office.
Vice Mayor Jones Cruz reported on the following:
• Hoping to see you all at Founders Day Carnival this weekend and Love Riverbank.
Item 12.3 Mayor/Chair
Mayor O'Brien reported on the following:
• On the outreach, the way that for that outreach, are we contracting with a PIO? And when we do that, maybe that could be one of the major items. • Another item, which I've always wondered, was a total community calendar. The link kind of like what the Chamber does and other organizations do. That doesn't have to be all on one page. But let's say you have a calendar on the spreadsheet, which I can do, but you have multiple sheets, and you can click on which one that you want to. So, when it comes time for scheduling; we schedule something, it'll come up as a conflict, and we find out what conflict, because there's a lot of things that we have out there that conflicts with a lot of other items. And it's not all within the cities. It's within the county and county organizations.
• Senator Alvarado Gill came and saw Marisela and myself a couple of weeks ago. We sat and talked about housing and ports. I have a grave concern about getting goods in and out of starting in May, because of the new restrictions from the Air Board
• Also addressed, PG&E shortly It appears that we've given the authorities to Regulators and the CPUC, because no one can control them. And it was omitted when the Lieutenant Governor was here, he said, I'm the Economic Development Officer, but doesn't have the authority anymore, because Governor Brown took it from Lieutenant Governor Newsom at the time, because he didn't trust him. But that's not what I mean? That's not a reason. That's an excuse. So, we're just giving everything away to the regulators. And we just had, as of last
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Thursday, stronger, stricter, water restrictions throughout and that is going to affect us here in the future and is one reason why we're looking ahead, trying to get the ability to recharge using a tertiary system or aquifer because they're shutting down farmer's ability to agriculture, to farm because of water restrictions. They're going to be doing the same thing here, and it's not cities they're going after they're going after the farms. So, whatever we do, we have to say, Riverbank we have to protect ourselves. Yes, we have to do what the State says. But how can we make it fit Riverbank?
13. CLOSED SESSION
The public will have a limit of 3 minutes to comment on Closed Session items) as set forth on the agenda prior to the City Council/LRA Board recessing to Closed Session.
Item 13.1 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION (Pursuant to Government Code §54956.9) Name of Case: City of Riverbank v. Schneider Electric Buildings America, Inc.
Item 13.2 CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION Significant Exposure to Litigation (Pursuant to Government Code §54956.9(d)) Number of Potential Cases: 1
There being no further Public Comments, Mayor O'Brien moved to Closed Session at 7:16 P.M.
Reconvened from Closed Session at 7:56P.M.
14.1 REPORT FROM CLOSED SESSION
Item 14.1 Report from Closed Session Item 13.1
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION
(Pursuant to Government Code §54956.9) Name of Case: City of Riverbank v. Schneider Electric Buildings America, Inc.
ACTION: Direction was provided staff.
Item 14.2 Report from Closed Session Item 13.2
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Significant Exposure to Litigation (Pursuant to Government Code §54956.9(d)) Number of Potential Cases: 1
ACTION: Direction was provided staff.
15. ADJOURNMENT OF THE REGULAR MEETING
There being no further business, Mayor / Chair O'Brien adjourned the regular meeting at 7:57 P.M.to the next regular scheduled City Council / LRA Meeting of May 14, 2024 at 6:00 P.M.
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Riverbank city Council
4/23/2024
RE: Public Comment
From: Garry Pearson
2209 Cedarwood Circle, District 3
Dear Council Members:
At a recent council meeting public comment regarding neighborhood parks was presented. The location spoken about is located below and presented via Google Earth and is adjacent to Stanislaus street.
contate st
community park space
Slansas Si Sanisaws St
A CASA DeIRO
Rive banis -anguago Adadomy
spine sere ameris
I would like to support the Stanislaus street site and the site be dedicated to a neighborhood park for all to use. The adjacent school has restricted access with security fencing and can not be used after school hours and on weekends. This park would greatly improve the overall community in this neighborhood!
RECEIVED
APR 2 3 2024
BY: pul 2:39pm
RECEIVED
2:39pm
1 3 2024
Riverbank city Council
4/23/2024
RE: Public Comment on the Proposed River Walk
From: Garry Pearson
2209 Cedarwood Circle, District 3
Dear Council Members,
I am a 4 generation farmer, ag researcher with over 40 years of experience in agriculture. My family roots are deep with in this community. I was born and raised in Stanislaus county. My wife, son and I are residents of Riverbank. The 5' Generation is well underway with their commitment to Agriculture The proposed riverwalk project will remove upwards of 1000 acres of Prime ag land if completed.
First, this ag land has many advantages to stay zoned Agriculture. I present some facts that have not been presented in a factual way.
Second, Stanislaus County Agriculture makes substantial economic contributions to state of California, the nation, and the world. The report titled 'Economic Contributions of Stanislaus County Agriculture' shows the economic value of farm production by sector and is 3.7 billion dollars. Additionally, The indirect and induced effects of agricultural production equivalate to 5.6 Billion dollars. What is significant is the dollars and income of these effects. Also, total employment numbers indicate around 30,000 plus people employed in the agriculture sector of Stanislaus County. Below is the chart that shows the details of impact of Stanislaus County Agriculture.
Output Effects (S Millions)
FARM PRODUCTION SECTOR Direct Indirect Induced TOTAL
Tree Nut Farming $1,220.2 $348.9 5414.9 $1,984.1
Dairy Cattle & Milk Production $787.7 $164.0 $168.7 $1,120.4 Support Activities for Agriculture S445.9 $9.5 $200.3 $655.7 Poultry & Egg Production $387.6 $99.8 $65.3 5552.8
Greenhouse, Nursery & Floriculture Production $271.5 $52.1 $106.2 $429.7 Fruit Farming $169.4 $48.2 $55.7 $273.4
Vegetable & Melon Farming $176.1 $42.3 $50.7 $269.0
Grain Farming $110.5 $49.4 $20.1 $180.0
All Other Crop Farming $56.8 $16.9 $18.4 $92.1
Beef Cattle Ranching and Farming $50.7 $12.8 $9.1 572.6 Firewood & Miscellaneous Produces $18.1 $6.8 $2.3 $27.1 Other Animal Production $0.3 $3.9
(excluding Cattle & Poultry $9.5 $13.7
TOTAL ECONOMIC OUTPUT $3,703.9 $851.1 $1,115.6 $5,670.6 Employment Effects (# Jobs)
TOTAL
Direct Indirect Induced
TOTAL EMPLOYMENT 26,551 2,276 1,805 30,631
Finally, I ask that during this period of public comment for the proposed River walk project consider closely the overall impacts of removing 1000 acres of 'prime' ag land and how this will effect future generations of farmers.
Thank you for your consideration of these important facts! Sincerely,
Last cavon
Garry Pearson
Reference:
https://www.stanag.org/pdf/cropreport/cropreportplus2018.pdf cc: Riverbank City Council
From: Annabel D. Gammon
To: ity Clerk: Marisela Garcia
Subject: 'ublic Comment for Council Meeting. April 23. 202 Date: Tuesday, April 23, 2024 3:49:13 PM
Good evening Mayor O' Brien and Council Members,
I would like to comment on the the Comment made by Dave Romano on April 9, 2024:
Mr. Romano stated, " I always think it's important that there be a few facts that we're able to look at the reality of what's going on. So, I ordered, I didn't really want to do it, but I ordered a book called "The population Bomb" for those of you that know about the population bomb. It was written in 1968 by a Stanford professor who told us that the battle to feed all of humanity is over. In the 1970's and 1980's, hundreds of millions of people will starve to death in spite of any crash programs embarked upon them. This is one of the premier scientists still today in the United States. And the reality is none of this catastrophe has come to pass. An, so, I think when we look at ag land and ag conversion, how we use our agricultural land. Facts are always important from the 50 years since this book was written from the period of 1970 20 2020, Stanislaus County has grown from about 260,000 residents to about 550,000 residents. The world has grown from about 3.7 billion to 7.8 billion people for both of those that's about a 100 to 110 growth rate. In the same period, based upon Stanislaus County, Ag. Commissioner's reports. Our harvested acreage in Stanislaus County has increased from 780,000 acres to over 909,000 acres. And our farm value has grown from 232 million to over 3.5 billion, a 15 fold increase.
When we develop, ag land is paved over. But, our farmers are resilient. They're adaptable. We've continued to find ways, not only to feed the world. But to continue to grow our crops. And so, you would think that even in this window, the prices of food increasing, that what food costs us at the grocery store would increase. According to the USDA in 1970 we spent about 13% of our budget on food. Today, it's about 10%. So, we continue to produce food. We continue to grow crops. We continue to use our land more effectively, and we continue to get cheaper and better food. Even with an increase in how much we eat out. So, I think it's important that when we look at land we understand that we need to use land to benefit all the people."
My comments are:
The Population Bomb publication was revisited by Paul R. Erlich and Anne H.
Erlick, the co-authors of the book, in 1968 with a publication " The Population Bomb Revisited". Their book predicted utter doom for the planet that didn't happen. The book however helped launch a worldwide debate that continues today.It launched a debate that continues today to the fundamental issue of the Earth's finite capacity to sustain human civilization. The book provided a useful lens for viewing the environmental, energy and food crisis of the present time.
So though I agree with Mr. Romano that our farmers are resilient and adaptable, I disagree that this makes it okay to "pave over agricultural land to benefit all the people."
We just celebrated Earth Day and continue to feel its significance. The first earth day was revolutionary. 51 years ago, some 20 million Americans protested and demanded that the government curb pollution, protect wildlife and conserve natural resources. This is interesting for me because I feel those who oppose River Walk are protesting the same issues with the City of Riverbank, 51 years ago, the government leaders listened. In the years after the first Earth Day, the Environmental Protection agency was founded. Congress passed the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act, among other powerful environmental laws. In short, Earth Day changed the trajectory of our country and the world. I hope we take a pause and think of these facts and history and how we can benefit all the people.
Thank you for your kind attention,
Annabel D. Gammon
ATTEST: (Adopted 05/14/2024) APPROVED:
Bit 19075i
Gabriela Hernandez
City Clerk / LRA Recorder Mayor/ Chair
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