Biz Briefs
Compiled by Camas Frank
The City of San Luis Obispo has launched a new website. As reported in the SLO City News’ Feb. 19 edition, in March the City took the training wheels off, with — www.slocity.org making it’s official debut and the lingering optimization and temporary disclaimers disappearing from view. The redesign provides a, “user-first experience with high-resolution pictures and graphics, a prominent search engine, easy-to-use menus, and additional citizen engagement tools.” Some of the features include eNotifications, a separate staff directory, and web payment options for bills, parking citations, and activity or facility reservations. The previous version of the site was first launched in the late 1990s and the web editing software used was no longer supported.
Congresswoman Rep. Lois Capps (D-Santa Barbara) has reintroduced three climate change-related bills that would, “help local communities increase their resiliency to the impacts of climate change, helping local agencies plan for public health impacts, help water utilities prepare for the impacts of climate-related risks to our water supplies, and help coastal states plan and implement climate change mitigation projects,” Capps said in a news release. “From heat waves, droughts, wildfires, and other extreme weather events, the impacts of climate change pose very real threats to our public health, infrastructure, and economy,” Capps said. “We must do more to help our local communities prepare for these inevitable impacts, and these commonsense pieces of legislation will help ensure that we’re properly prepared for the future.” Under the legislation, drinking water, wastewater, and storm water utilities could apply for EPA matching funds to implement projects, such as an emergency pumping system recently installed at Lake Cachuma, that address the most significant climate-related risks and benefit the largest numbers of water users. Utilities may use the federal matching funds on projects that build resiliency to changing hydrological conditions, Capps said.
Richardson Properties, a Central Coast real estate company, has expanded into Southern California. The firm recently opened two new offices in the Southern California cites of Manhattan Beach and Rancho Palos Verdes under the Strand Hill/Christie’s International Real Estate label. “It’s pretty unique for a company to start here on the Central Coast and expand south,” said Chris Richardson, the firm’s president. “Usually it’s the other way around. But, our experience with the Christie’s brand has been very well-received and we look forward to marketing significant properties in Southern California.”
Special districts in San Luis Obispo County and across the state recently recognized Assemblyman Katcho Achadjian as its “2014 Legislator of the Year” at an awards ceremony held at the Avila Beach Community Building in Avila on Feb. 27.
Achadjian was honored for his “non-partisan spirit, support of local control, and close work with the local service specialists responsible for delivering water, fire protection, parks, healthcare and other essential services,” according to a news release from the San Luis Obispo County Chapter of the California Special Districts Association or CSDA. “During his tenure as chair of the Assembly Local Government Committee,” CSDA CEO Neil McCormick said, “Assembly Member Achadjian regularly proclaimed the importance of local control in addressing community needs.” Katcho was also recognized for “fostering close relationships with the special district officials in his Assembly District in order to find solutions that empower communities to find answers to meet local needs.” “As a former County Supervisor,” Katcho said, “I understand firsthand that the needs of each county can vary greatly. Working with CSDA has been a key component in addressing the current issues that are affecting local governments and it has been an excellent experience working with them. I am honored to receive this award and I look forward to collaborating with the organization in the future.” California has more than 2,000 independent special districts led by a board of directors that are elected or appointed to serve diverse communities and regions throughout the state.
Transitions-Mental Health Association (TMHA) received a $500 donation from the Central Coast Nurse Practitioners & Physician Assistants (CCNPPA). For over 38 years, CCNPPA, has served and supported its members and community groups in providing accessible, high quality healthcare. As the oldest professional organization of advanced clinical practitioners in the State, the association has been providing scholarships, charitable contributions and free health screenings and education for the community at local health fairs and running events. “As part of our commitment to the community’s health and well-being, it is with great pleasure that the local group of Nurse Practitioners & Physician Assistants award Transitions-Mental Health Association with a $500 donation to help facilitate their very important work,” Kris Dilworth, CCNPPA treasurer, said. “Many of our members do or have worked with the mental health population, and we appreciate all you do to support individuals who struggle with these issues in our community.”
The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County recently announced its new board of directors. Steve McCarty, owner of Stafford McCarty Commercial Real Estate, is the Foundation’s new president. Mary Verdin of Verdin Marketing is vice president. Bill Raver of Morro Bay continues as treasurer, and Jim Glinn, owner of San Luis Sports Therapy is the new secretary. The Foundation also welcomed Joan Parker to the board after serving as chairwoman of the Marketing Committee for the past two years. Parker is founder, CEO and COO of Empowering Financial Solutions, Inc. “Joan’s experience in the local financial community,” McCarty said, “brings a new perspective, and will be a tremendous asset, as our board continues to focus on strengthening San Luis Obispo County in perpetuity.” For more information or to donate call 543-2323.
As the trend for wine tourism emerged in 1995, Breakaway Tours and Event Planning got in on the ground floor, leading tours in Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara. Breakaway began with private tours for large corporate and social groups, adding scheduled public wine tours with on-line booking in 2009. The firm now celebrates 20 years on the Central Coast, focusing on wine education, with “no snobs here” and makes the effort to dispel the intimidation the intimidation factor. For information contact owner Jill Tweedie at 783-2929.
Due to marathon growth in food assistance services, the Food Bank Coalition has outgrown both of its warehouse facilities, currently located in Paso Robles and Oceano. Food Bank CEO, Carl Hansen, announced that the Food Bank board has directed management staff to, “find a long-term solution that fits the needs of the county, allowing the Food Bank to run more efficiently while maintaining services to its agencies and direct programs throughout the county. It is the Food Bank’s hope to find one central and larger facility to better serve their mission and the changing needs of the community.” The Food Bank and its agency partners distribute to numerous smaller venues through the County and promise to continue service and improve on it through the 18-month process.
The County of San Luis Obispo’s budget has been recognized nationally for meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting for the fourth consecutive year. They recently received the 2014 Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association, which offers the only national awards program in governmental budgeting. Budget development at the county level is a complicated process that is guided by statute and requires input from a variety of stakeholders. In preparation for the next fiscal year budget budget hearings will be held in June at the County Board of Supervisors Chambers in San Luis Obispo.
Stephanie Bertoux has been named operations manager for the Central Coast Economic Forecast. Bertoux is a self-employed marketing firm owner who will add CCEF duties to her other responsibilities. A UCSB graduate, with a degree in economics, Bertoux served 13 years as director of marketing for PMSM Architects before starting her own firm. As operations manager, Bertoux will support the CCEF volunteer board in the planning and executing CCEF’s annual SLO County Economic Forecast event and will oversee administrative, financial and logistical functions for daily operation of the organization. Additional information is available online at: www.centralcoasteconomicforecast.com.
Send business briefs for consideration to: .