Do you ever get the feeling that the day has repeated itself again? That the endless paragraphs of your staff report are copied and pasted once, twice, and even thrice over! The pile of plan checks awaiting review has been a never-ending stack that is on the verge of slipping off your desk like a mudslide? Well, you don't have to worry! You're not in the Twilight Zone -- you're just living the good life as a City Planner! Wait, do kids these days even know what the Twilight Zone is? Or...what Twilight is? The latter is an awful series of books that one should never torture themselves with...just sayin'. Have we lost you yet? Hope not. Development in the IE is cranked up to the maximum level -- an exciting, yet exhausting time of our lives...hence this silly intro. Yes, pre-recession was pretty busy...but as a Millennial, the only thing we knew was getting through college but knowing there
weren't jobs waiting for us. Hah! What we
do have waiting for you now are a TON of events this month and even more to come for the rest of the year! Your IES-APA Board are busy bees already working on events through October. We still have to review the awards nominations -- so we promise we are doing fine. Make sure you go register for all our events! Some are free so they'll fill up fast! Go now, go!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
SACRAMENTO LEGISLATIVE POLICY REPORT - 2018 START
By Paul Clark, AICP - Vice Director, Policy
The opening of the 2018 legislative session in January through mid-February saw the introduction of 2,200 new bills (not counting carry over bills from the 2017 session). The deadline for the introduction of bills was mid-February, and proposed bills will now undergo hearings and votes in committee and on the floors of the legislature. The range of subjects covered by these bills include employment regulations, workplace safety, immigration, criminal law, not to mention bills to address taxes and efforts to extend taxation to snowbirds temporarily residing in the state.
The APA Cal Chapter Legislative Review Team met on March 9, reviewing nearly 50 bills of high and medium priority to the Planning profession. The Legislative Review Team includes over 60 persons representing the eight sections organized statewide. While not all participated, the meeting involved a telephone conference call or an in-office attendance in Sacramento (most called in). The conference call lasted over 2.5 hours. As the IES's policy point-person I attended and took notes. This report represents my observations, but given this limited space, I cannot cover specific bills. I will write updates in coming months, dealing with pending and advancing bills as time and space allow. Our chapter lobbyists in Sacramento encourage comment and can be reached at Stefan/George Associates, 916-443-5301; also further information may be found at the Cal Chapter web site, under "Legislation", and the text and status of legislative bills viewed through the state web site:
http://www.legislature.ca.gov.
Many of the bills dealing with housing issues reflected efforts to deal with the flood of new regulations past last year. These past bills numbered about fifteen and the general feeling was to focus on the need to allow this legislative landslide to play out. Clean up and addressing pre-existing laws seemed to be the priority, rather than add more to the existing complexity. However, the "hot" topic of housing seems to have attracted the attention of many in Sacramento who want a piece of this action, to say "see what I did", particularly as the 2018 general election season begins. Concerns about attaching RHNA numbers to mandatory housing production were voiced. CEQA and cannabis regulations were also among the new bills being examined. Looking to the potential ballot measures expected in coming months, the APA state board will address these, particularly the issues of imposition of taxes and fees. Much of the focus of our legislative representatives will be to address sloppy language in existing as well as proposed bills which clearly needs much clean up. If you have specific questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.
EVENTS
HIKE TO PLAN, PLAN TO HIKE - SAT, APRIL 14 (FREE EVENT)
Join planners from throughout the Inland Empire and beyond on one of the best hikes in the Coachella Valley. According to the indiancanyons.com
"Andreas Canyon is considered the world's second largest California Fan Palm oasis. Ancient rock mortars adorning the entrance to the canyon remind visitors of the presence of the first people. The trail starts at the rail Information Board located just north of the bridge. It leads west along the north side of the perennial Andreas Creek for 0.5 mile, then it crosses the creek at the fence and returns along the upper stream terrace to the parking area. Hikers will be rewarded with spectacular views of rock formations, sycamores, cottonwoods, willows, and the magnificent California Fan Palm (Washingtonian filifera), all surrounded by the harsh desert environment".
Bring plenty of water and snacks. Lunch is on your own.
We will meet at the Andreas Canyon Parking Lot at 8:30AM and will start walking at 8:45AM.
Hike to Plan/Plan to Hike is a collaboration between the California Planning Roundtable and the American Planning Association, California Chapter for the benefit of the California Planning Foundation.
APA LA AND SCPC PRESENT: JUST SAY 'OUI' - APRIL 14
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND THE GENERAL PLAN
How we plan our communities matters today and into the future! Please join us for a workshop to discuss SB 1000 and inform The Governor's Office of Planning and Research (OPR) Implementation Guidance.
This workshop will include presentations, facilitated discussion, and interactive exercises to support you and how you can apply these new concepts in your own community.
Presentations by:
Dr. Elizabeth Baca, Senior Health Advisor, California Governor's Office of Planning and Research
Ms. Tiffany Eng, Green Zones Program Manager, California Environmental Justice Allliance
Migel Vasquez, Riverside Department of Public Health
Overview:
SB 1000 Authored by Senator Connie Leyva requires cities and counties to adopt an Environmental Justice (EJ) element as part of their General Plans, or to integrate EJ-related policies, objectives, and goals throughout other elements of the General Plan. SB 1000 also includes requires engagement for local residents to become meaningfully involved in the decision-making around Environmental Justice issues. Beginning January 1, 2018, the requirements of SB 1000 will take effect when a local jurisdiction updates two or more elements of its General Plan.
Environmental Justice:
California defines EJ as "The fair treatment of people of all races, cultures, and incomes with respect to environmental laws, regulations and policies." When applied, environmental justice considers all impacts when developing policies or land uses that would affect the environment, and does not allow any population demographic to be ignored, or excluded. Research has shown areas with lower education, lower incomes, and a higher percentage of minority residents are more likely to have environmental threats and pollutants in their neighborhoods. Environmental justice laws seek to eliminate that bias.
This workshop will cover:
A review of the statue
Lessons from locals working on the ground
Cover tools
Provide an opportunity to do breakout and discussion some of the challenges with implementation which will inform the forthcoming OPR guidance
APA LA AND SCPC PRESENT: JUST SAY 'OUI' - APRIL 14
Save the Date!
APA Los Angeles and SCPC Present:
Just Say 'Oui' - Supporting the Paris Climate Change Accords at the Local Level
Saturday, April 14
9 AM - 4 PM
All Saints Church
132 N Euclid Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101
Join us for a day-long summit aimed at bringing together planning and design professionals around local climate action. The purpose is to build a coalition and strengthen networks and resolve in supporting US legislation and worldwide cooperation. The day is meant to be fun, inspiring, and interactive. Participants will explore best practices at the local level, discover ways to connect, and continue their commitments to climate justice and sustainability. Additional details and registration will be available soon -- please save the date!
NO-COST MAP DESIGN COURSE FROM ESRI - REGISTER FOR APRIL 18 - MAY 29 COURSE
Once, only cartographers made maps. Today, anyone can. With coaching from experienced cartographers and practical, hands-on exercises using ArcGIS Pro, you'll become a smarter mapmaker, ready to go beyond the defaults and make better maps.
This free, online course runs April 18 to May 29, 2018 and includes from one to two hours of content per week. Students who complete all course content earn a certificate of completion from Esri.
If your whole team makes maps, have everyone register! Learning together will help everyone gain greater cartographic insight and skills.
2018 NATIONAL PLANNING CONFERENCE: NEW ORLEANS - APRIL 20-24
New Orleans is one of the world's most unique cities, and its melting pot of culture, food, and music offers APA conference-goers rich experiences well beyond the convention center. Register todayfor the opportunity to experience some of the city's planning precedents like the Lafitte Greenway, the iconic streetcar system, and extensive new infrastructure upgrades - all on the program for NPC18, April 21-24 in NOLA.
For more information contact Miguel A. Vazquez, AICP at mvazquez@rivcocha.org or at 951.358.7171
YOUNG PLANNERS GROUP
CPF SCHOLARSHIPS: DEADLINE TO APPLY - APRIL 30!
California Planning Foundation has announced its 2018 scholarship awards program: More than $60,000 in scholarships will be awarded to outstanding planning students in California.
Every year, CPF invites planning students to compete for scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. Scholarships are awarded, based on an application and selection process by the CPF Board, to students seeking to enter the planning profession. The scholarships are designed for continuing students entering their final year of an eligible undergraduate or master's degree program. Award criteria include academic performance, financial need, a commitment to serve the planning profession in California after graduation, and increasing diversity in the planning profession.
For a list of eligible degree programs in California, please see http://bit.ly/2FocmQe. Some scholarships are limited to students from PAB-accredited planning programs, asterisked in the list.
To join a free webinar on April 3rd where you can learn about the scholarship application process, you must pre-register at http://bit.ly/2FpJG9f. The webinar will be recorded and will be available afterwards for students who were not able to participate.
The APA Foundation awards scholarships to make the planning profession more diverse and accessible to those of limited means. Scholarship awards are made to students currently enrolled in degree programs in planning.
The
Judith McManus Price Scholarship and Charles Abrams Scholarship are due by June 1, 2018.
Are you a young planner looking for opportunities to meet other planners and engage in the Inland Empire? If so, the IES-APA Board needs your help in sustaining a Young Planners Group. Be a part of this fun and exciting initiative and network with planners across the Inland Empire and Southern California. Contact John Hildebrand (IES-APA Section Director) to get involved at JHildebr@RIVCO.ORG.
Find us on Facebook at "Inland Empire Section - Young Planners Group (IES-APA YPG)", a subgroup of the IES-APA page. Please join: https://www.facebook.com/groups/IESAPA.YPG/
OPPORTUNITIES / TRAINING
9TH ANNUAL NATIONAL INNOVATION COMMUNITIES CONFERENCE (NICC) - CALLING ALL PRESENTERS!
Calling All Presenters!
We are pleased to announce Reach Out in Partnership with Partners for Innovative Communities, will now be accepting proposal applications for the 9th Annual National Innovative Communities Conference (NICC). NICC will be held at the Ontario Convention Center on the 5th and 6th of June, 2018 and is open to all individuals throughout the United States.
We are seeking renowned, presenters, panelist, and keynote speakers with cutting edge and dynamic topics. Our goal is to connect ideas, leaders, communities, and resources to each other for health and wellness innovation and ignite transformation.
Being a presenter will bring great opportunity to connect with attendees such as: community leaders, parents, teachers, law enforcement and many more! As a presenter we ask that programs be emphasized appropriately and approaches taken to be easy to link across a broad spectrum of attendees.
Deadline to submit proposals are Friday, May 11, 2018
For more information on NICC, please visit, www.pic-nicc.org to receive updates.
2018 APA CALIFORNIA CONFERENCE: SHAPING OUR FUTURE - OCT 7-10, SAN DIEGO
As you may have heard, the 2018 APA California Conference will be located in San Diego from October 7-10. The theme of the conference, "Shaping Our Future: Planning Places for All" reflects the task planners face throughout their careers. The work done today will shape how communities grow and meet the challenges of the future. California strives to develop inclusive, dynamic neighborhoods; therefore, it is important that you share your experiences, successes, and ideas with other planners at the 2018 APA California Conference this year.
Get up to speed on best practices with online courses for individual study. Topics in this convenient and cost-effective format include planning law, ethics, health policy, and transportation. Go here for more info: https://www.planning.org/ondemand/
JOBS / RFPs / RFQs
The Inland Empire Section of the American Planning Association (IES-APA) provides listings for planning and planning related jobs. If you are interested in listing your job, please visit the Sponsorships page (scroll down to the bottom) for more information. In addition, as a courtesy to our members - RFPs/RFQs may be submitted and posted on the IES-APA website free of charge. Please email us at admin@ies-apa.org for more information regarding RFPs/RFQs postings.
Director of Development Services at City of Hayward
Senior and Associate Planners at Civic Solutions
Assistant, Associate, and Senior Planner Positions at City of Menifee
RFPs / RFQs
None
OUR SPONSORS
Board reports are available on ourboard reportspage on our website. In addition, newsletter archives are available on our website as well. For any comments, questions, or inquiries of the Inland Empire Section of the American Planning Association (IES-APA), please contact admin@ies-apa.org.
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