McKINLEYVILLE Community Services District

Water - Sewer - Streetlights - Parks - Recreation - Library Winter/Spring 2011

Inside this issue:
Measure B Community Builder Award Community Garden Round up for Recreation What do people think? Pay your Bill Online Advertise with us Eagle Scout project Employee of the year Twenty Years of continued service McKinleyville Community Services District MEASURE B MAINTENANCE ASSESSMENT DISTRICT RENEWAL FOR PARKS, OPEN SPACE, AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES On January 19, the McKinleyville Community Services District Board voted unanimously to proceed with a renewal of Measure B. The Measure B Renewal for Parks, Open Space and Recreational Facilities updates and continues Measure B for an additional 20-years, while maintaining the same, $30 per year rate for single-family homeowners. A public hearing on the Assessment District and proposed assessments will be held by the Board of Directors on Wednesday March 16, 2011, at 7:00 pm, located at Azalea Hall, 1620 Pickett Road, McKinleyville, CA. At the hearing, the Board will consider oral and written testimony (and written objections and protests) regarding the proposed assessments.

Newsletter

Updating and continuing the Measure B Maintenance and Assessment District would continue maintenance of Azalea Hall, the local community center and Activity Center, playfields and playgrounds in all parks. In addition, continued funding would keep the Senior Center and all District park restrooms open and clean, while maintaining open space and trails. A McKinleyville Teen Center that provides a safe place for local teenagers to go after-school is also part of the Measure B Renewal Plan. Original Measure B funds built Azalea Hall and the McKinleyville Activity Center at Pierson Park as well as Hiller Sports Complex, and have provided for their maintenance over the past 17-years. The Measure B Renewal ballot contains a highly detailed engineers report adopted by the board that shows exactly how future Measure B funds can and cannot be spent. The community can be assured of a very high level of fiscal accountability, which is something very important to the Board, District, and public. If you are a McKinleyville Property Owner, you should have received your ballot. Ballots must be returned prior to the close of the public hearing currently scheduled for March 16, 2011 at 7:00pm. For more specific information about how this type of mail balloting works, please call us at 707-839-9003. MCSD is always searching for ways to better serve the needs of our community. One way you can share your thoughts with us is to frequently visit our website at www.mckinleyvillecsd.com and answer the survey question. You will find the question on the front page of our website. The current survey question is, Do you think McKinleyvillles parks are maintained well?

Board of Directors:
Helen Edwards President Dennis Mayo Vice-President John Corbett Director David Couch Director Bill Wennerholm Director Norman Shopay General Manager

What is the Measure B Maintenance Assessment District Renewal for Parks, Open Space and Recreational Facilities? Since 1993, McKinleyville residents have been paying a small annual assessment to maintain our local parks and recreation areas. The Measure B Renewal for Parks, Open Space and Recreational Facilities updates and continues this Measure for an additional 20-years, while maintaining the same, $30 per year rate for single-family homeowners. What will Measure B be used for? The Measure B renewal would continue maintenance of Azalea Hall, the McKinleyville Activity Center, playfields and playgrounds in all parks. In addition, funds would keep the Senior Center and all District park restrooms open and clean, while maintaining open space and trails. A McKinleyville Teen/Family Center that provides a safe place for local teenagers to go after-school, is also part of the Measure B Renewal Plan. (A complete engineers report, with a detailed budget plan, is available on our website at www.mckinleyvillecsd.com/). Are there accountability measures? Yes. All Measure B funds are maintained in a separate account and spen. The District will publish an updated engineers report each year and conduct annual financial audits to ensure that Measure B funds are expended as authorized. How are ballots tallied? Majority support occurs and the proposed reauthorization of the assessment is approved if the number of returned ballots supporting the proposed assessment is greater than the number of ballots in opposition. If there is a majority of opposing ballots, the assessment cannot be imposed and the proceedings will be abandoned. Whether in support or opposition, the ballots are weighted according to the amount the respective property owner will be assessed. How much will it cost? The Measure B Renewal for Parks, Open Space and Recreational Facilities maintains the same, $30 per year rate for single-family homeowners that property owners have been paying for the past 19-years. Measure B Continued... Assessments were calculated on the following basis: Residential: Non-Residential: $30.00 per Dwelling Unit ($15.00 per Bed for Convalescent/Long-term Facilities only) $30.00 per Acre for the first 2 acres $15.00 per Acre for the 3rd and 4th acre $7.50 per Acre for the 5th and 6th acre $3.75 per Acre for the 7th and 8th acre $10.00

Measure B (continued): For questions about McKinleyville Community Services District Services please call Jason Sehon, Parks & Recreation Director, or Norman Shopay, General Manager at (707) 839-9003.

NEW RECREATION PROGRAM!

FAST BREAK FRIDAYS!

Fast Break Fridays is a Drop in Basketball opportunity for YOUTH ages 13 to 17 years old. Sunday evenings have gotten pretty crowded at our Hoop at Night drop-in Basketball, so weve opened Friday evenings up at the McKinleyville Activity Center just for teens who want to shoot some hoops! If you are a teenager or have one at your house, send them to the McKinleyville Activity Center on Friday evenings between 7:00pm-9:00pm to get their hoop game on! The cost is only $1.00 to play! The McKinleyville Activity Center is located at 1705 Gwin Rd. Visit us on the web: www.mckinleyvillecsd.com or call 839-9003 for more information about this program or any others we are offering.

Do you have a green thumb? McKinleyville Community Services District (MCSD) is accepting applications for plots at the Pierson Park Community Garden located at Pierson Park in McKinleyville. Current plot holders will have first priority to renew their plots this spring. MCSD is considering expanding the garden and adding new plots for others interested in reserving a plot. In order to renew your plot or to be considered for a new plot, individuals must register and pay a $20.00 plot fee by Friday, February 25, 2011. Individuals can attain applications at the MCSD office located at 1656 Sutter Road. Applications can be dropped off at the MCSD office (1656 Sutter Road) or by using our drop box in the office parking lot. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Pierson Park Community Garden:

Vacant:

For questions about the Measure B renewal voting procedures, please call Engineering Consultant Jim McGuire at (800) 755-6864.

Round Up for Recreation Program:

The Round Up for Recreation program gives MCSD customers the opportunity to round up their water and sewer payment to the nearest dollar for the purpose of donating that extra amount to the McKinleyville Parks & Recreation Department. The way it works is simple. If a customer voluntarily checks the Round Up for Recreation box on their water and sewer bill and provides a payment that is more than the amount due, the additional amount will be donated to the Parks & Recreation Department. For example, if the amount due for a customers water and sewer bill is $31.25 and they submit a payment of $32.00, and check the Round Up for Recreation box on the payment stub, then $0.75 will be donated to the Parks & Recreation Department. All proceeds from the Round Up for Recreation program will be placed into the Parks and Recreation General Fund. The funds will then be used to help pay for park maintenance and facility improvements, Youth Fee Reduction Fund, and program equipment and improvements. Remember, every penny counts!

What do people think?

While out and about on Friday morning, a member of MCSD staff interviewed Nikki Garrigan, who was attending the McKinleyville Playgroup Program with her son Brody at the McKinleyville Activity Center (MAC). Playgroup is co-sponsored by First 5 Humboldt and is a small gathering of parents and their pre-school aged children, who get together for play and interaction. Nikki said she has been attending Playgroup for the past year, when she and her husband moved to McKinleyville. She said she was totally excited when she discovered playgroup and added, I totally appreciate it, its great for our kids and weve met many families through the program. She said its exciting to find the sense of Community in McKinleyville, and that she and her husband feel like part of the community. She also said that Playgroup is an important part of her family wanting to live in McKinleyville. As she looked around the MAC she said, Theres probably 35 youth and adults here today, and I could probably tell you the names of everyone. She and her husband like that the space is so big, because their kids can be active and get engaged in several different activities. Nikkis family also frequents the playgrounds at Pierson and Hiller Park. Her family also attends library readings, held at Azalea Hall. She also said she enjoys some of the community events held at Pierson Park, such as Pony Express days and CandyLand.

AY YOUR UTILITY BILL ONLINE!

www.mckinleyvillecsd.com
o o o o o VISA CARD MASTER CARD E-CHECK E-BILL AUTO PAY To pay your bills online, Please visit our website:

Advertise with us!

Place your ad information here in the next edition of the McKinleyville Newsletter, which is mailed to more than 5,000 MCSD customers. Call 839-9003 for more information.

Wow, That was easy!

Call us for more info: (707) 839-3251

McKinleyville CSD PO Box 2037 McKinleyville, CA 95519

Presort Standard US Postage PAID Arcata, CA Permit No. 239

Upcoming Public Meetings

NOTICE: There is a current opening on the Recreation Advisory Committee. For more information, please call 839-9003. February 16 Board Meeting Azalea Hall 7:00 pm March 16 Board Meeting Azalea Hall 7:00 pm 24 Recreation Committee 6:30 pm

April 20 Board Meeting Azalea Hall 7:00 pm May 18 Board Meeting Azalea Hall 7:00 pm 26 Recreation Committee 6:30 pm June 15 Board Meeting Azalea Hall 7:00 pm July 20 Board Meeting Azalea Hall 7:00 pm 28 Recreation Committee 6:30 pm

Online NEWS at www.mckinleyvillecsd.com Have you checked out the Districts website lately? If not, make sure you do...and give us some feedback. We are constantly striving to improve the information available to you, our customer! Visit our Website ... www.mckinleyvillecsd.com or e-mail our office at mcsd@mckinleyvillecsd.com

Eagle Scout Project:

Tyler Durbin has completed his Eagle Scout Project at Parkside Trail, one of MCSDs Open Space Maintenance Zones. His project included the removal of non-native, invasive plant species, trash and debris (including more than ten (10) fence posts with concrete attached that were located in the streambed), trail improvements including weed cloth and type II base rock, and the construction of a bridge. This project is a huge benefit to students at McKinleyville High School, as it gives them safer access to the neighborhoods south and southeast of the school.

Employee of the Year:

Congratulations to Anthony Rutten, Maintenance Supervisor for being awarded Employee of the Year for 2010. Tony has faithfully served more than six (6) years as an employee of the District from June 21, 2004 to present. Tony was originally hired on as Maintenance Worker and was recently promoted to Maintenance Supervisor. The adjacent photo shows Tony Rutten and Jens Andersen installing grant funded recycled waste tire for a safety surface at the playground at Hiller Park that was installed in 2006. So on behalf of the MCSD Board of Directors and its employees, congratulations Tony!

Twenty Years of Continued Service:

Recently, the MCSD Board of Directors adopted a Resolution to honor Gregory Orsini for his twenty (20) years of continued service with the District and his many accomplishments on behalf of the District. Greg lends his talents, experience and leadership to the development and service to the District having served in a variety of positions over the years, such as Utility Person I, Utility Person II, Leadman, Operations Director and Interim General Manager. Greg has successfully aquired his Water Distribution Operator Grade 3 license and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Grade II license, and under his direction and guidance the Operations Department continues to support and respond to meeting the demands and needs of a growing and prospering McKinleyville service area. On behalf of the MCSD Board of Directors and its employees, thank you for your dedicated service.