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WRCOG wins Urban Land Institute
award for organizational leadership |
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| The Urban Land Institute (Orange County/Inland Empire Chapter) selected WRCOG to receive its second annual award for Organizational Leadership. ULI recognized WRCOG’s Regional Energy and Environmental Programs, which include 1) the HERO Financing Program, the nation’s largest Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program; 2) WRCOG’s Clean Cities Coalition, a national leader in replacing fleets with alternative fuel vehicles; 3) WRCOG’s Used Oil and Filter Recycling Program, in which WRCOG partners with more than 150 local businesses, and 4) WRCOG’s efforts to develop plans for statewide application that will help local jurisdictions implement multi-family complex recycling programs to help them meet AB 939 goals. |
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Regional HERO program picking up steam |
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| WRCOG’s PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) Program is the largest of its kind in the nation, offering customers the opportunity to add energy efficient and water conservation improvements to their homes and businesses in a very affordable and accessible way. All the property owners need is 10% equity in their property and to be current on their mortgage and property taxes. If they meet those qualifications, they may use the fund’s money to finance improvements, and the cost is amortized for as long as 20 years on the property tax bill, paid twice per year. A typical scenario will reflect a lower cost for the combined utility and property tax bill, creating a “cash positive” situation with no money out of pocket. |
| This Program puts energy efficiency within reach for property owners and stimulates the local economy. HERO projects will create jobs for local contractors, and enable property owners to save money on their utility bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Visit www.beaRiversideHERO.com to learn more about the Program and apply for your improvements! |
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TUMF Annual Report now available |
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| The FY 2010/2011 TUMF Program Annual Report provides an overview of the history of the Program, and focuses on revenues collected since the Program began in 2003 and for FY 2010/2011. Additionally, the Report highlights projects that have been completed and are underway in each of the five TUMF zones, for RCTC, and for the Riverside Transit Agency. You can download a copy of the report by clicking HERE, or you can contact WRCOG to receive a hard copy. |
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EMWD’s General Manager discusses
San Diego County Water Authority lawsuit |
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| Paul Jones provided the Executive Committee with an overview of a lawsuit filed by the San Diego County Water Authority against the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) in which it claims that its costs for water from MWD are higher than those paid by MWD’s other 25 member agencies. MWD’s board adopted rate structure (in place since 2003) is equity based and borne out by data that confirms that San Diego’s rates are commensurate with rates paid by MWD’s other members. The crux of San Diego’s lawsuit seeks to shift its share of water transport costs to the remaining member agencies in Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Riverside and San Bernardino counties at a cumulative 75-year cost of $3 billion. EMWD customers alone would be impacted by $180 million in additional costs. |
| Riverside County’s Water Task Force will continue to monitor the situation and recommend courses of action to WRCOG members. |
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UCR School of Medicine Dean provides update |
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| The Executive Committee heard from Dr. Richard Olds, Dean of the UCR School of Medicine, who discussed the need for and missions of the UCR Medical School. Dr. Olds’ presentation touched on the serious shortage of practicing doctors per capita in this region (just over half of the state average), and high rates of death per capita — compared to the rest of the State — in Riverside County due to heart disease, colorectal cancer and diabetes. Dr. Olds also discussed the positive economic impacts to the region from each doctor who could be hired and work in Western Riverside. Dr. Olds presented a timeline for school accreditation, anticipating that the School could be accredited in the fall of 2012 with classes commencing in August 2013. |
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(photo: medschool.ucr.edu) |
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General Colin L. Powell (Ret.) to Keynote WRCOG’s 21st Annual General Assembly |
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General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.)
Dr. Condoleezza Rice
addresses the 2011
General Assembly |
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| General Colin L. Powell (Ret.), U.S. Secretary of State from 2001 — 2005, will serve as the Keynote Speaker at WRCOG’s 21st Annual General Assembly on Thursday evening, June 21st, at the Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa. One of the most admired and respected leaders in America today, General Powell will offer his thoughts on domestic and world affairs, leadership and a vision for tomorrow. |
| The General Assembly is one of the region’s premiere annual events, selling out each year with more than 800 guests in attendance. Sponsorship opportunities are now available and can be viewed by visiting the WRCOG homepage at www.wrcog.cog.ca.us. |
| General Powell will join an illustrious list of nationally known figures and world leaders who have keynoted the annual WRCOG event, including Condoleezza Rice, Karl Rove, Dee Dee Myers, Pat Buchanan, Oliver North, Sam Donaldson, and George Stephanopoulos. In addition to an exciting presentation, the General Assembly also provides an opportunity to review work accomplished and look ahead at the many issues that we collectively face in the future. |
| General Assembly Schedule |
3:30pm – 6:00pm
4:00pm – 6:00pm
6:30pm – 9:00pm |
Event Check-in and Registration
V.I.P. Reception
Dinner and Keynote Speech |
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TUMF Program Update |
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REVENUE
STATUS |
Total TUMF revenues to date:
Total TUMF revenues FY 11/12: |
$
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549 million
8.3 million |
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| Critical Goetz Road improvements completed |
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The much-anticipated Goetz Road/Newport Road improvements have been completed! Improvements include widening Goetz Road, from Railroad Canyon Road to Normandy Road (old Newport Road) from two to four lanes, including the 400-foot Goetz Road Bridge over the Salt Creek. The project also included the critical final gap closure on the realigned Newport Road segment, between Murrieta Road and the Railroad Canyon/Goetz Road intersection, featuring a new six-lane arterial aligned through the Audie Murphy Ranch development. The total project improves the regional traffic flow and provides easier access to the local communities from Interstate-215 to Interstate-15. |
| The County completed the 2.3 miles in two phases within 24 months. The first stage completed the final portion of the realigned Newport Road segment and the second stage widened Goetz Road north of the realigned Newport Road to Normandy Road, including the 400-foot bridge. Construction began in February 2010, with a $4 million Central Zone TUMF contribution on this $12.8 million dollar project. |
| Total potential TUMF funded Network improvements within a 10-Mile Radius of this project are estimated at $1 billion. |
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Executive Director’s Column |
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| Palm Reading Special |
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| Thank you for coming in, Western Riverside County. Yes, I do understand that you are leery about the future, and are hesitant about having your palm read. You’re not the first one. I assure you, my accuracy is unparalleled and... what? Well, no, I never question a customer’s mental stability. And no one has questioned mine... recently. As I was about to say, I have a track record that brings my clients back again and again, unless of course they have passed on... which of course I have predicted will occur to all who visit me. |
| First things first, though. You have cash among your personal items, correct? Yes, it’s uncanny that I know that. I find that a small contribution, say $40 to $80, increases the presence of the staff, err, spirits who help buy lunch, err, channel my energies in such a manner so I can perform my best work. |
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May/June Calendar of Events |
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May 16
WRCOG Administration & Finance Committee (12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.), Riverside County Admin. Ctr., 4th Floor, Conf. Room A. |
May 17
WRCOG Technical Advisory Committee (9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.), Riverside County Admin. Ctr., 5th Floor, Conf. Room C. |
May 23
US Green Building Council, Inland Empire Chapter (5:45 p.m.), City of Riverside, Grier Pavilion. Topic: The Economics of Going Green: WRCOG’s Regional Pace Program. Click HERE to register. |
June
The WRCOG Technical Advisory Committee is DARK in the month of June. |
June 4
WRCOG Executive Committee (2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.), Riverside County Admin. Ctr., 1st Floor Board Chambers. |
June 13
WRCOG Administration & Finance Committee (12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.), Riverside County Admin. Ctr., 4th Floor, Conf. Room A. |
June 21
WRCOG General Assembly (6:30 p.m., VIP reception at 4:00 p.m.), Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa, 2nd Floor Ballroom, Cabazon, CA. |
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