From the Email Inbox: Senior Villa Court Order, and Safety

From the Email Inbox:

Gramps you didn't post that Virginia Hardford tried to present a couple of planned statements one of her own writing and one from the Chair of the Fireworks Committee Chair, Kim Hathaway.

As much as I can recall was her general support for the concept of the provision of Senior Housing in Grand Terrace, but she is frustrated that the city failed to properly plan, and manage the program or project up to this date so as to avoid the Court action requiring the reversal of all Council Approvals, or to her understanding a halt to the Entire Project.

She expressed concern that the Judge was not hearing the desires or needs of the seniors of the community. She did realize that the seniors needs or desires aren't the real issues before the Court, nor are they the issues being raised by the residents of Brentwood, or the community in general.

She was angered at being chased away from looking at the progress on the project, and the notices that are posted saying PRIVATE PROPERTY, angered as it is PUBLIC PROPERTY. OR that was her understanding.

She was cut off and asked to summarize, she read a closing statement questioning the oversight of the City Management, and City Council.

She also walked off with only being able to paraphrase Kim Hathaway's message, there is no Sanity or "Safe and Sane" fireworks.

Also a neighbor to the Senior Center Relocation Site reported improper safety practices and no shoring being used as trenches are being dug on the site. This is a City Inspectors JOB to insure that safety measures are in place during construction and it is the City Inspectors JOB in particular when it is a City Project to make sure that SAFETY of construction crews, and anyone who may enter the job site is protected, by more than keep out fences, and Private property signs.

Gramps thinks:

Yep, I forgot to write about these two important public comments and issues. They demonstrate the lack of "Effectiveness of the Governance" lead by the Council and City Manager.

Virginia, it is not public property, it is Private Property, as it has been leased to Corporation for Better Housing, INC, for a buck a year, and we are paying them 9 million dollars we got by going into debt 17 million, to build a building they will lease and manage for I honestly forget for how long, and then they will convert the improvements to the City as the Land Lease will expire, and for all intents and purposes the building will be worn out and need to be demolished and removed at City expense I would presume. All the time they plan to have 10 apartments for Market rate prices, and all others will be Section 8 qualified Low Low INCOME renters of senior age. Such a Deal, for a non bid contract.

This is not the plan that was presented to the Citizens, the Council, or the Residents on Brentwood but that is how it is being financed, with Federal Housing Loans, and other Bond Debts. So it is Private Property paid with or financed by Tax Payers Loans, Bonds, and taxes one way or another.

These are the particulars that were shoved aside by those looking for low cost apartments for friends and family of shall we say advanced years.

One more thing, the current plan is not 120 units, there was at least one concession on the last known plan that the development will have 108 units not 120... Final Plans have not been submitted or approved who knows what will be built. It is kind of like depending on a general plan in this town what is presented may or may not be what is built.

Remember the General Plan was that the Senior Housing was to be near the Terrace Assisted Living Center, the Center of town, where walking to the stores, would be possible... But, heck a General Plan is just like a Zone Map in this town. It isn't a plan, it is a suggestion, and only used as a way to limit the use or development if the City Manager wants to use it that way.

Just my thoughts on the situation... You don't have to read them if you don't like them.

Oh and remember, they the Corporation for Better Housing provide "Donations" to Grand Terrace City Activities, as do the Jacobson Family Holdings, as they are in negotiations with the City.

I recall the word ethics coming up during the meeting. As in there is a required Ethics course for all council members that MUST be taken, and they haven't done that yet. I won't offer any other comment on that.....

Gramps.