City of Sacramento Department of Neighborhood Services Bulletins

Infill house program

2009-04-19T02:47:20Z

The City of Sacramento Department of Neighborhood Services announces:

You or someone you know may be interested in this new program the City is offering. Please keep in mind that this program may not be available in certain areas of the city, such as historic districts or design review areas.

The City of Sacramento has recently launched its revamped Infill House Plan Program aimed to promote quality residential development on vacant lots within the City. The new and improved program - which provides pre-approved construction drawings at a reduced price, streamlined application process and reduced fees - includes recent updates to the house drawings to reduce construction costs and achieve compliance with the new California Building Code. Plans may be purchased for $1,850.

Ranging from 1,435 to 1,670 square feet with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and large open kitchens, the new plans were value-engineered to reduce overall construction costs. In addition, two different floor plans each with three different elevations are available.

Plans include two full sets of pre-approved construction drawings, a site plan specific to the parcel, and an expedited building permit granted less than one week after building permit application. Other benefits of the program include reduced City review and impact fees.

For more information, contact Pamela Morgan, Assistant Planner in the Planning Department at (916) 808-7771, or you can view our website at www.cityofsacramento.org/dsd/planning/infill-house-plan-program/. To purchase plans, please contact Piches Architecture at (916) 783-4624, 115 Taylor Street, Roseville, CA 95678.

See more information in this brochure and this flyer.

Free gardening classes start soon

2009-04-17T06:41:24Z

The City of Sacramento Department of Neighborhood Services announces:

Are you ready to start your garden? Is your yard in need of a make over?

Then good news: Neighborhood Services is sponsoring free green gardening classes! They'll take place in April and May and will cover a range of topics, from improving soil to selecting drought-tolerant plants, as well as City landscaping regulations.

Call Neighborhood Services at 808-6789 if you have any questions.

City of Sacramento, Neighborhood Services Department is proud to present FREE Green Gardening Classes

SAVE THE DATES!

Saturday, April 18, 2009
9 a.m. - Noon
Ethel McLeod Hart Senior Center
915 27th Street

Wednesday, April 29, 2009
6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Boys & Girls Club
5212 Lemon Hill Avenue

Thursday, April 30, 2009
6 p.m.-9 p.m.
Samuel Pannell Meadowview
Community Center
2450 Meadowview Road

Sunday, May 3, 2009
2 p.m.-5 p.m.
South Natomas
Community Center
2921 Truxel Road

FREE Gardening Classes offered to the community include the following workshops:

It All Begins with the Soil
Removing Your Thirsty Lawn
Vegetables and Other Edibles
Drought Tolerant and Native Plants
Fruit and Shade Trees
Pest Management in the Garden
Composting and Worm Farming
City of Sacramento Utilities Department
City of Sacramento Code Enforcement Department

Classes will be taught by professionals including the UC Cooperative Extension Sacramento County Master Gardeners and local gardeners.

Brought to you in partnership with the Code Enforcement Department, Department of Utilities, and the Parks and Recreation Department.

For more information click here to read the flier.

Census 2009 comes to our neighborhoods

2009-03-25T18:39:23Z

The City of Sacramento Department of Neighborhood Services announces:

Please be aware that from April through July, Census workers will be in your neighborhood. Please see the attached documents or simply read on:

2010 CENSUS ADDRESS CANVASSING OPERATION UNDER WAY IN OUR COMMUNITY

In preparation for the 2010 Census, the US Census Bureau will be sending out census workers, called Listers, to verify, add or delete addresses with hand-held computers. The operation begins on April 6 and may run until July 19, 2009.

Address Canvassing is an operation in which Census workers will be seen throughout our community with hand-held computers to update the information electronically, via the Global Positioning System (GPS). The Census Bureau will then use these updated addresses and maps to deliver the short ten-question questionnaire by mail, in March 2010, to every known address verified and updated in this operation.

Residents can easily identify census workers by their official white and blue badges, the special hand-held computers and the black canvas bags with Census Bureau’s name and logo on a white background. Residents can also ask Listers to provide the phone number of the Local Census Office (LCO) where they can be verified.

2010 CENSUS ADDRESS CANVASING FAQs

What is Address Canvassing?

The Census Bureau conducts Address Canvassing to update our address and map database to ensure that it is accurate and current -- verifying, adding and deleting addresses. The Census Bureau will use the updated addresses from this first major operation to deliver questionnaires in the mail, in March 2010, or send enumerators, in April 2010, to every address in areas where Address Canvassing is conducted.

When does it take place?

Between April 6, 2009 - July 19, 2009. Census workers, called Listers, will be conducting this operation during daylight hours, seven days a week.

Why do census workers use hand-held computers?

To help ensure the accuracy of the census and improve its efficiency, the Census Bureau has moved away from using pencil and paper to update its address lists and maps. Now, census workers will update the information electronically, using hand-held computers and coordinates from the Global Positioning System (GPS). GPS coordinates will be added to each residential structure to make sure it’s recorded within the correct city, county or other geographic unit - which is particularly important when lines for Congressional and state legislature districts are redrawn.

How to identify the Listers?

Residents can easily identify census workers by their official white and blue badges, the special handheld computers and the black canvas bags with Census Bureau’s name and logo on a white background. Residents can also ask Listers to provide the phone number of the Local Census Office (LCO) where they can be verified.

Will the Listers be interacting with residents?

During the Address Canvassing operation, Listers will visit all the places where people live or could live. They must knock on each resident’s door and if someone answers, Listers will explain that he or she is verifying the address for census questionnaire to be mailed in March 2010.

Additional information:
At the link below you will find both high and low resolution images of Address Listers out in the field. Their government badges are visible as well as their over-the-shoulder bags with the large Census Bureau’s name and logo. As you can see in the photos, the census workers are dressed in plain clothes. The same web page also offers a photo of an Address Lister holding the hand-held computer. As with all 2010 Census information, the address information collected by the Census Bureau is confidential by law (Title 13, U.S. Code, Section 9). All Census Bureau employees, including the census workers who collect the address information and GPS coordinates, have taken an oath to protect confidentiality and are subject to a jail term, a fine - or both - for disclosing any information that could identify a respondent or household.

http://www.census.gov/pubinfo/www/broadcast/photos/census_bureau/010610.html

Law enforcement youth development program

2009-01-23T06:26:00Z

The City of Sacramento Department of Neighborhood Services announces:

The Sacramento Police Department is developing a Law Enforcement Youth Development Program (YDP).

They are seeking a diversified group of young adults between the ages of 13 – 18 years old. These selected students must meet minimum requirements, such as a 2.0 GPA, leadership skills, school attendance, citizenship, and be interested in a possible career in law enforcement. Potential candidates must fill out an application, receive permission from their parents (if under age 18), and pass an interview. Upon acceptance into the program, students will be assigned a law enforcement employee to help guide them through the program.

The program will help guide students through academics and social experiences and direct them towards success. Successful students will have the opportunity to obtain part-time jobs as Public Service Aide's (PSAs), student trainees', record clerks, and Community Service Officers (CSOs) while going through the program.

For more information, please call Sgt. Shawn Rogers 808-0880, Officer Justin Brown 808-0887 or Officer Kris Sundby 808-0889.

Neighborhood Summit 2009

2009-01-16T03:52:56Z

The City of Sacramento Department of Neighborhood Services announces:

Good Neighborhoods = A Great City

The City of Sacramento's Neighborhood Services Department is proud to present the Neighborhood Summit 2009, a first of its kind here in Sacramento!

When: Friday, March 6, 2009
Time: 8:30-4:00 PM (Continental Breakfast/Lunch Provided)
Where: Sacramento Convention Center - 1400 J Street

Purpose: The mission of the City of Sacramento Neighborhood Summit is to promote communication and partnership between city staff, residents, neighborhood associations, and business owners to help maintain, revitalize, and promote healthy communities.

Free Admission: There will be no cost to attend the Neighborhood Summit event, thanks to the generous support and sponsorship of:

Nehemiah Urban Ministries Initiatives
Common Sense California
Sacramento Consolidated Charities
Sierra Health Foundation

Event Registration: We have a limited number of participant slots for the event. Please register online using the following link : http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=0XkyB9AVc61bjWoX_2fgiLSQ_3d_3d

The deadline for registering is February 6, 2009. Registration is first-come, first-serve and we have a limited number of slots available. Hurry while we still have room!

Please mark your calendar now. You don't want to miss this event!

For more information, please visit our website at www.cityofsacramento.org/ns or call 808-6789.

Community meetings at SCUSD sites

2009-01-07T00:43:35Z

The City of Sacramento Department of Neighborhood Services announces:

In light of budget difficulties, the Sacramento City Unified School District has been investigating options for school sites that are closed or underutilized. SCUSD would like to hear from the community. Meetings have been scheduled in January and February before the school board evaluates options in spring 2009.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009
A.M. Winn Elementary School
3351 Explorer Drive

Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Freeport Elementary School
2118 Meadowview Road

Tuesday, January 20, 2009
John F. Kennedy High School
6715 Gloria Drive

Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Washington Elementary School
520 18th Street

Monday, January 26, 2009
Alice Birney Elementary
6251 13th Street

Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Will C. Wood Middle School
6201 Lemon Hill Avenue

Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
2635 Chestnut Hill Drive

Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Maple Elementary School
3301 37th Avenue

Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Martin Luther King, Jr. K-8
480 Little River Way

Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Sacramento Charter High School
2315 34th Street

Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Leonardo da Vinci K-8 School
4701 Joaquin Way

For more information, please visit the following website:

http://www.scusd.edu/com_office/fcpro/FacilitiesUse.htm

Digital television conversion event

2009-01-06T04:55:27Z

The City of Sacramento Department of Neighborhood Services announces:

The City of Sacramento Neighborhood Services Department wants to help you prepare for the digital conversion.

We will be assisting with the online application for a T.V. Converter box discount coupon.

What’s happening? The Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 requires full-power television stations to cease analog broadcasts and switch to digital after February 17, 2009.

WHEN: Saturday, January 17, 2009
TIME: 10:00 AM -12:30 PM
WHERE: South Natomas Community Center, 2921 Truxel Road

Who will be affected? Anyone using a television set that is not connected to cable, satellite or other pay television services, including sets that rely on antenna or “bunny ears” will need to act to ensure their sets will continue to work after February 17th.

The good news: Congress created the TV Converter Box Coupon Program for households wishing to keep using their analog TV sets after February 17, 2009. The Program allows U.S. households to obtain up to two coupons, each worth $40, that can be applied toward the cost of eligible converter boxes.

Stop by and let us help you with the process!

It's the little things we do

2008-12-22T06:44:54Z

From the City of Sacramento Department of Neighborhood Services newsletter The Bridge.

By Yvonne Riedlinger, Program Analyst serving Council District 4

It’s the little thing we do in Neighborhood Services that can make such a big difference. It’s often difficult to highlight just one project or event that we assist residents with because there are so many little things we do to support our neighborhoods. Neighborhood Services staff attends community, neighborhood, and business association meetings to lend support and to answer questions about the City of Sacramento. We refer and listen to complaints of every nature and do our best to resolve those issues or make sure they get to the department and staff who can help. We encourage our neighborhood and business associations during good times, but more importantly during the challenging times.

As we approach the end of the year it’s a time to reflect and look back at the accomplishment we have made, and most importantly those that we did together with our neighbors, such as, Family Movie Nights in the Park, Family Fitness Day, and Jazz in the Park Concerts. It’s also a time to plan for the new year and to think about the accomplishments yet to come.

So, it’s with pleasure the Neighborhood Services Department and I take this opportunity to thank the residents of Council District 4 and the neighborhood and business associations including, capitol Area R Street, Fremont Park, Richmond Grove, College Plaza, Freeport Renovation on the Move, Newton Booth, Land Park, Z’Berg park, South Land Park, Little Pocket, Upper Land Park, Southside Park, Beverly Way and the Greater Broadway Partnership, for working together to accomplish all the “little things.”

Youth gang prevention and intervention campaign

2008-12-21T03:35:09Z

The City of Sacramento Department of Neighborhood Services announces:

The City of Sacramento, Office of Youth Development (OYD), Sacramento Police Department, and U.S. Attorney’s Office are working together on the campaign. The campaign is designed to divert youth from gangs. The campaign consists of billboards throughout the City of Sacramento, public service announcements aired on local television stations, and hundreds of posters.

Research has shown that effective, community based programs can keep at-risk youth from joining gangs, and rehabilitate those already in gangs. Accordingly, the campaign links parents, adults, and young people to the City of Sacramento’s information line, 3-1-1, which will connect them to a wide array of youth programs and resources currently operating in our community. These programs and resources not only focus on gang prevention and intervention, they also provide academic support, job and life-skills development, and employment assistance.

In addition, calls emanating from this campaign will be tracked, and when appropriate, OYD staff will conduct follow-up inquiries with callers who require additional assistance. Most of the funding for the campaign comes from Project Safe Neighborhoods, a federal grant program that focuses on reducing gang and gun violence through education and early intervention. Additional contributors, in the form of time and/or money, include CBS Outdoor (donated billboards), the Astone Agency, and Fresno’s “Valley Crime Stoppers."

For more information and to view the attached information, please visit the Office of Youth Development's website at www.cityofsacramento.org/Youth-Development/

On the move in Council District 1

2008-12-15T05:07:44Z

From the City of Sacramento Department of Neighborhood Services newsletter The Bridge.

By Brit Irby, Neighborhood Resources Coordinator serving Council District 1

During the busy autumn season, where can you find your Neighborhood Resources Coordinator? You can find her coordinating City Department booths and bringing helpful information for your neighborhood special event such as the Alkali Mansion Flats Celebration, the Creekside Community Fair, or Celebrate Natomas. Or maybe you’ll catch her working with business representatives and the City to help revitalize Chinatown Mall. You’ll likely sit next to her at a neighborhood meeting for Gardenland/Northgate, Valley View Acres or the Natomas Community Association, where she’ll be making community announcements and offering follow-up information when applicable. Perhaps you’ve seen her assisting the Department of Utilities on their recent Knock and Talk project in Natomas, or promoting a Parks and Recreation neighborhood meeting to discuss future plans for Jefferson Park. She’s also providing guidance and informational materials to community members starting a new neighborhood association, such as the up and coming South Natomas Neighborhood Association.

Whether it’s co-facilitating Area 4 Leadership meetings or driving through an area to follow up on a concern, there is one place you’re sure to find your NRC…in the neighborhood.

If you’d like more information on any of these events, meetings or neighborhood groups, please contact Brit Irby at birby@cityofsacramento.org or visit www.cityofsacramento.org/ns.Brit Irby with NSD intern Michel Huizar at Celebrate Natomas 2008.

The Photo caption: Brit Irby with NSD intern Michel Huizar at Celebrate Natomas 2008.

The reach of outreach

2008-12-14T05:47:21Z

From the City of Sacramento Department of Neighborhood Services newsletter The Bridge.

By Derrick Lim, Area Manager serving all Council Districts

Neighborhood Services has engaged in a great deal of community outreach this year. Upon reflection, several themes come to mind in relation to levels of service and customer service. Neighborhood Services can do a better job of articulating outreach levels of service, which in turn results in better customer service to the public.

Using Olympic medals as an analogy, outreach can also be categorized into three major categories: gold, silver, and bronze.

Gold is the highest level because the objective is not only to get the word out, but to also get more than 50 residents to attend and participate. Neighborhood Services experience tells us a minimum of 6-8 weeks is needed to craft and implement a strategy. In addition, resources are needed for translation, partnering with community nonprofits, and establishing new contacts. Going for the gold is getting harder in these challenging economic times, and we need to work smarter to achieve it with limited resources.

Silver is the intermediate level of outreach. Getting the word out is important to neighborhood groups. There may or may not be an expectation of neighborhood participation. Resources may or may not be available to engage new participants.

Bronze is the basic level of helping only to get information out. There is no expectation of turnout or community participation. Translation assistance may be involved if resources are available.

Let me know what you think of these themes. Your feedback will help Neighborhood Services fine tune its outreach levels of service, improve its customer service, and maximize the reach of outreach.

Our strength: our diversity

2008-12-14T05:34:44Z

From the City of Sacramento Department of Neighborhood Services newsletter The Bridge. A message from the Director of the Department of Neighborhood Services, Vincene Rogers Jones:

Hello neighborhoods!

I'd like to ask you a question, but one I'm sure you will help me answer. If I may be perfectly honest with you, we can do more than we have done in listening to and learning from each others’ cultures. Acknowledging that anything less is to be satisfied with things as they are.

What am I trying to say? If a picture paints a thousand words, why haven't we seen a broader multi-cultural connection, like a train as it picks up passengers headed to the same destination? I am writing of our culturally diverse region, which is so rich in heritage and strong in our contributions of time, talent, and commitment to sharing our many traditions, all while becoming citizens of this great country and state. Perhaps the answer to my question is that without the fundamentals of inclusion in this great salad bowl of cultural life, we have a bridge that we need to cross, a gap that needs to be filled.

Neighborhood Services is committed to filling in the gaps, to ensuring that inclusion is a part of what makes good communities great. Sacramento is rich in ideas, principles, and beliefs of respecting the essence of all cultures. I recognize that to weave a basket that can hold a future promise, we have to cross a bridge between your culture and mine. Don't you think now’s the time?

Neighborhood Services certainly does!!!

That is why we are bringing this "special edition” of The Bridge with inserts in Spanish, Russian, and Vietnamese. It’s one step forward as we invite all Sacramentans to work with us in filling that basket with our hopes, dreams, and best efforts for the future.

Please enjoy and happy holidays
to one and all!!

The Sacramento Press will re-post the English Language version of The Bridge over time, but if you want to read any of the other editions contact me at support@sacramentopress.com.

Midtown night life issues meeting tonight

2008-12-10T21:17:20Z

The City of Sacramento Department of Neighborhood Services announces:

Vice Mayor Steve Cohn, the City of Sacramento & the Midtown Business Association invites you for a discussion on Midtown Night Life Issues.

TONIGHT, Wednesday, December 10th
5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Ethel MacLeod Hart Senior Center,
Redwood Room East

Learn about:
● What constitutes a violation & how to report
● Parking
● Entertainment & Special Event Permits
● Best Practices from other Cities

Have your questions answered by:
● City staff
● Police and security
● Business owners
● MBA

Please attend this important meeting!

Free parking, Midtown shopping, and a tree lighting

2008-11-27T02:10:32Z

The City of Sacramento Department of Neighborhood Services announces:

City of Sacramento’s Annual Gift to Shoppers Downtown and midtown visitors need not pay parking meters on designated days. Shoppers in downtown and midtown Sacramento will once again enjoy free on-street parking during select days of the holiday season.

Designed to encourage holiday shoppers to patronize downtown and midtown businesses, the program will be in effect during the post Thanksgiving weekend: all day Saturday, November 29, and Sunday, November 30. (Thanksgiving Day is always a parking meter holiday.)

The program will resume during the holiday period beginning Saturday, December 6, through Thursday, December 25. During this period, on-street, metered parking will be free starting at 4:30 p.m. weekdays and all day on Saturdays. Parking is always free on Sundays, except in Old Sacramento.

Please note that the free parking zone will extend from “I” to “L” Streets and from 3rd to 29th streets, and only applies to metered on-street parking spaces. See attached map.

Midtown Shopping

The Sacramento MBA would like to invite you to join in the Holiday Cheer and Shop Local this holiday season. We have planned a day full of fun for you and your families on Saturday December 6th, 2008. Festivities will begin at 10 a.m. and last through out the day with Midtown's FIRST EVER Tree Lighting in Sutter's Fort Park (26th and K Streets) at 5:30 p.m.

While you're out an about, check out J Street in Midtown. The Midtown Business Association has decorated the J Street corridor with holiday lighting, wreaths and much more! Parking's free so why not check out all that Midtown has to offer?

For more info and updates check out MBA's MySpace page
myspace.com/mbasacramento or call 442-1500.

Be safe out there and have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.