Author: HPNA

In case you haven’t heard, we thought we would post information on the new garbage/recycling policies that take affect July 1st in the neighborhood.  The information below was pulled from the city of Sacramento Website to keep you in the know.  Information referenced from http://www.cityofsacramento.org/generalservices/solid-waste-recycling/new-ways-new-days.cfm

The basics for our neighborhood look like this:

Trash day stays the same day – Weekly on Wednesdays

We are in recycling week A – our weeks for recycle pick ups

On July 1, 2013, several changes to residential garbage, recycling and yard waste services will take effect citywide. Over the next few weeks, the Recycling and Solid Waste Division will provide information and tools to help our customers with the transition.

Containerized Yard Waste Collection

All residential customers will receive weekly containerized yard waste collection. Customers who do not have a yard waste container will receive one in June and sevice will begin the week of July 1, 2013 on your regular garbage day. The last week of service loose-in-the-street customers will be June 24, 2013 until leaf season. If you need more than one container, please call 311.

Appointment Based Neighborhood Clean Up Returns

Starting July 2013, all residential customers will be provided one appointment per year, for the free pickup of any bulky items. Appointments can be made by calling 311 and pickups dates will be available July through October 2013. In 2014 appointments will be available February – October 2013. More details are available on the garbage page.

Leaf Season November – January

Citywide collection of curbside yard waste piles will occur November through January. During leaf season, customers may use their yard waste container for weekly pickup as well as place extra material in a pile on the street in front of their residence

Recycling collection will change from weekly to every other week.

Starting July 1, 2013, all residential customers will be on either an A week or B week schedule for every other week recycling collection. In May, customers will receive their A or B week recycling schedule by mail. The recycling schedule, including a calendar, is also available here or you can call 311. Need a recycle week reminder? Sign up for email or text reminders on your recycle week here, or call 311.

Service Days will change in some neighborhoods

New routes have been created based on the recycling and yard waste collection changes and service days will change for some neighborhoods. Notifications will be sent to customers in May and the new service dates will begin July 1, 2013. You can check your current and post July 1, 2013 service days

http://www.cityofsacramento.org/generalservices/solid-waste-recycling

City Launches Recycle Reminder via Sac311 App

Customers can receive text and email reminders about every-other-week recycle pickup

 The City of Sacramento will be changing to every-other-week recycling on July 1, 2013, and a new feature on the existing Sac311 mobile app is designed to notify residents of their recycle week.

Customers can sign up via the Sac311 app to receive a text or email reminder to set out their recycle container for collection. As of July 1, 2013 the city will be divided into an “A week” and “B week” schedule, and the reminder notification will be sent every Friday for the following week’s collection day. Customers can also use the new “Quick Look Up” button to learn their garbage service day, recycle week, council district and other information based on their address.

“Moving to every-other-week recycling service will save the city more than $1,000,000 a year, yet it can be a challenge for customers to remember the correct week,” says Steve Harriman, Integrated Waste General Manager for the City. “This new app will make it easy so residents won’t miss their recycling collection day.”

The Sac311 app is free and available for iphone, ipad and Android. Residents can also find their recycle week and download a collection calendar at www.sacrecycle.org.

Since its launch last August, the Sac311 app gives citizens and easy way to report an issue or schedule a service appointment without calling the 311 customer service call center. Residents and business owners can use the app to report city related issues – from potholes, traffic signal malfunctions, missed garbage cans on collection day to illegal dumping and stray animals.

“The new features in Sac311 are just part of the public education effort to inform our customers about the changes to containerized yard waste and every-other-week recycling,” continues Harriman. “Along with our web and mobile applications, we are increasing our social media efforts, advertising, direct mail as well as presenting to neighborhood groups and attending community events.”

For more information on changes to recycling, garbage and yard waste services visit www.sacrecycle.org or call 311.

Our neighborhood is located near a PG&E natural gas pipeline.  Below is information PG&E wanted us to pass on to our neighbors in regards to gas pipeline safety.

Gas Pipeline Locations

PG&E operates natural gas distribution and transmission pipelines across California.  Our distribution pipelines are located throughout neighborhoods and connect to homes and businesses.  Our transmission lines carry gas from one region to another.

Find PG&E’s pipelines near your neighborhood by locating pipeline markers and gas meters.  Markers identify the general, but not exact, location of the pipeline.  We also provide an online map that shows the location of our transmission and higher-pressure distribution pipelines. Distribution service lines and mains are not included in the online map. Access our online map.

The National Pipeline Mapping System, shows the location of all transmission pipelines in the United States, viewable by county, zip code, or street address.

If You Smell Natural Gas

PG&E regularly inspects pipelines to check for possible leaks or other signs of damage.  We also monitor our gas pipeline operations 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  As an additional safety precaution, we add a sulfur-like odor to natural gas.

You can help prevent a natural gas pipeline fire.  If you smell this “rotten egg” odor or notice other signs of a potential leak, open windows and doors, move to a safe location and immediately call 9-1-1 and PG&E at 1-800-743-5000.

But don’t rely on smell alone to identify a leak.  Always pay attention to hissing, whistling or roaring sounds coming from the ground or from a gas appliance.  Other signs of a possible gas leak include dirt spraying into the air, continual bubbling in a pond or creek and dead or dying vegetation in an otherwise moist area.

Until you are a safe distance away, do not light a match or operate any device that might create a spark including electric switches, doorbells, radios, televisions and garage door openers.

PG&E is committed to the safe operation of our pipelines. We actively patrol our pipelines, perform leak surveys and conduct pipeline inspections. You can learn more about our pipeline safety efforts at www.pge.com/pipelinesafety. If you have specific questions, please call our Gas System Help Line at 1-888-743-7431.

Before You Dig, Know What’s Below

Excavation is a leading cause of pipeline damage.  Homeowners, maintenance personnel and contractors should always call 811 at least two working days before initiating projects that involve digging.  Calling 811 connects you with Underground Services Alert (USA), a free service that will notify underground utility operators in the area of your planned work.

The Hollywood Park Neighborhood Improvement Committee holds a plant exchange every year.  This year it was held on May 18th.  If you missed the exchange, Val Anderson, the host of the event gives the details on the history and what to expect next year.

The History of the Plant Exchange:

There was a plant sale at the first member meeting I attended in 2004 and I bought some roses and sunflowers.  I then joined the Neighborhood Improvement Committee which was discussing the logistical problems with holding the plant sale at the school.  They were disinclined to try it again.  I suggested a plant exchange (rather than sale) along with a holiday decorating contest (we started with door decorations, then expanded) these were good ways to get to know our neighbors while beautifying the neighborhood.  As people came without plants we also added sales with profits going to the Association.  I offered my yard to site the exchange so the problems of transport and cleanup would be lessened.  Both projects have grown and are still conducted by members of the Neighborhood Improvement Committee.

With the real estate market doing some interesting things these days we thought we would ask former Hollywood Park President and local realtor, Matt Bistis to weigh in on what is happening in the neighborhood and to offer suggestions on improving our home’s value. 

As a longtime resident and Realtor in Hollywood Park, I’ve been asked to comment on two concerns which may be of interest to the neighborhood.  The first is a quick snapshot of the current Real Estate market.  The second is to suggest some ideas on how to retain and improve the value of your home.

The current market can be described as a Seller’s Market.  That occurs when the number of homes for sale can typically sell in less than 3 months.  We’re quite a bit below that level.  We hardly have 1 month; and it is common to get multiple offers within the first week if the home is reasonably priced and marketed well.

So what is “reasonable” for our neighborhood?  Lately that’s been changing weekly, with prices rising at a fast rate.  Let’s assume your home is in very good condition & has been updated for today’s buyers.  They like central heat & air, remodeled kitchens with dishwashers & stainless steel appliances, refinished wood flooring, updated bathrooms, newer roofs, easily maintained yards, & dual pane windows.

The 2 bedroom 1 bath home that was valued less than $200,000 at the end of 2012 is likely to sell for 20-25% more today.  Add a family room, another bedroom & bathroom and you could be in the $300,000+ range!

As for suggestions on improving your home’s value, refer to the list above for the “big ticket” items.  Otherwise, some low cost/high impact items are clean windows, fresh paint (including the front & back steps/porch), de-cluttered rooms, and free of smoke & pet odors.  Proper staging or just rearranging things can also do wonders.

For more ideas, feel free to consult with me (buyers too!) about homes anywhere, but especially Hollywood Park.  My contact info is mbistis@golyon.com or call 798-0822.  I am a Business Member of HPNA and a past President of the Board.  See you at the next HPNA event!

The column below was written by Hollywood Park Resident Greg Brown and was originally posted in The Land Park News (Valley Community Newspapers, Inc.)

When Capitol Nursery, the popular fixture on Freeport Blvd since 1931, vacated their property last August they left a deserted lot with gobs of property. The land was scooped up by Raley’s Supermarket and that’s when the rumors started to fly. Some folks in the neighborhood as well as some Raley’s employees were pontificating that Raley’s would move to the former Capital Nursery location. The rumor was that Raley’s would move from their present location, which is leased, and move it on over to the Capitol Nursery property that they now own. A new state of the art Super-Raley’s! I spoke with Raley’s media representative John Sagali and he said there are “no plans for Raley’s to move from its present location“. He said they “have not decided on a plan for the Capitol Nursery location yet“. He also mentioned the fact they didn’t want another grocer to move in on their territory and that’s why they purchased the plot of land from Capital Nursery. He compared it to the game show Hollywood Squares. Paul Lynde for the block!

Another speculative rumor was Green Acres Nursery would take over the Raley’s spot once it moved to the Capitol Nursery location. Another local rumor that is “completely false” according to Kellie Natoli, a representative from Green Acres. “We have no interest in having a store in that location.” So what will become of the coveted spot? So far the only one using it is The King Of Curls. He’s got his yellow and red promotional truck parked in the lot on a daily basis. He’s the King Of Free Promotion.

Soccer Planet is a new premier indoor soccer facility in Sacramento that is causing some uproar in the Hollywood Park neighborhood. The goal of Soccer Planet is to make it the “Disneyland of Soccer”. Unfortunately, some of the neighbors don’t think it’s the “Happiest Place On Earth”. In fact, some are downright grumpy about the family friendly facility.

At the Hollywood Park Neighborhood Association meeting recently there were a few outraged vocal residents who were unhappy about Soccer Planet. Soccer Planet does not have enough parking spaces on-site to accommodate their patrons; the cars overflow onto Haldis Way and 25th street. This happens mainly on weekends and evenings disrupting the quiet neighborhood. I spoke to a few of the neighbors who did not want their names used for this article. One HP resident I spoke with said he likes the soccer facility because it gives kids something to do during the summer instead of sitting in front of a TV all day. He spoke to me in hushed tones because his next door neighbor is vociferously opposed to Soccer Planet and the overflow of vehicles. This issue is actually pitting neighbors against neighbors. Some want permit parking, others do not. Another resident on Haldis stated he would like it if they “brought back Johnson/Butler rugs“. Sounds like a party! One neighbor, who didn’t want his name used, mentioned he had a few words with a patron who parked in front of his house and the next day he noticed his Honda Accord had been keyed.

There is also a “Neighborhood Manifesto” being passed around that advises residents how to report any and all violations by Soccer Planet. There are names and numbers of the Fire Marshall, Supervisor of parking enforcement, even the head of the Alcohol Beverage Control. The neighborhood manifesto encourages residents to “keep a watchful eye on Soccer Planet and report capacity violations to the fire marshal” which creates fines for the business. The fines get greater each time they are reported and found not complying to the 61 person capacity. The manifesto also suggests nearby residents “keep a diary and take photos of any and all violations“. Reporting Soccer Planet and it’s alleged violations sounds like a full time job!

There are some valid points made in the “neighborhood manifesto“. 24th street can be dangerous to cross on foot…especially at dusk. It’s a four lane street with no speed limit signs and No Parking signs. Suggestions  included getting a crosswalk and a flashing light for patrons and installing 35 mph speed limit signs. Another solution for the parking problem could be change the street from 4 lanes to 2 lanes and have parking and a bike lane. Similar to what they are planning on Freeport BLVD which is much busier. Unfortunately the two lane street is also not in the plans right now.

Another piece of literature is a mysterious, sarcastic flier that was mailed out to residents in the neighborhood with the Soccer Planet logo. It says things like “With summer quickly approaching you will be happy to know that Soccer Planet will be going strong night and day 7 days a week as soon as school lets out“. Another section states, “Thank you and please keep the parking spaces available in front of your homes. It will probably be a lot more livelier (sp) for you all soon; beer and wine are on the way”. This is all in bold letters. (Soccer Planet has applied for a Beer And Wine license.) Maybe not the best way to get peace in the neighborhood. Perhaps some communication between residents and Soccer Planet management would be a better plan rather than inflammatory ill-conceived fliers that only create more of a rift between neighbors and businesses. What is it that Rodney King said? A board member from the neighborhood association is getting involved and trying his best to alleviate the concerns of the neighbors and keeping peace in Hollywood Park.

Another issue is Soccer Planet is in an EA3 Overlay zone which means it is in the flight path of the Executive Airport. The threshold of persons per acre allowed on an EA3 overlay zone is 50 persons per acre and Soccer Planet is on 1.29 acres. There is a current investigation with code enforcement in regards to this. The City Council would have to vote to give Soccer Planet an exemption to the overlay zone law. One resident at the HPNA meeting mentioned the tragic Farrell’s Ice Cream plane accident that occurred at an air show in 1972 as well as the government sequestration that will affect air traffic control.

Perhaps Soccer Planet could move to the former Capital Nursery location and everybody could live happily ever after.

Aging, cracked sidewalks in Hollywood Park

By Artemio Armenta and Becky McReynolds

Many of the cracks along Hollywood Park’s sidewalks reflect the signs of concrete poured more than six decades ago. In older and more established communities like Hollywood Park, Curtis Park, and Land Park – cracks in sidewalks are common. Indeed, the sidewalk square near 23^rd St. and Larson Way, in Hollywood Park reads, “A. TEICHERT & SON CONTRACTORS, AUG 3, 1948.”Oftentimes, tree roots are the culprit of displaced sidewalks, but weather can play a role. After 1978, homeowners in Sacramento became responsible for repairing the defected sidewalks along their property. For this writer, including other neighbors moving to Hollywood Park – meant having to address some needed sidewalk repair of our own.

My wife and I moved to Hollywood Park almost four years ago. One evening, after returning home from work, we noticed several spray-painted, white arrows near the cracks along some sections of our sidewalk. Shortly thereafter, the city mailed a letter and quoted us around $600 for the repairs, with the option to hire a private third party. We ultimately went with the latter option.

Some local experienced real estate brokers like JoAnn Kaleel with Lyon Real Estate let prospective homebuyers in Sacramento know about the city’s ordinance regarding sidewalks. “If I see cracks along the sidewalk, I let folks know that they may eventually need to make the repairs,” says Kaleel. “The city may come a day after you move into the house, or they may come three years later, but if the cracks are large and can pose a tripping hazard, home owners are reminded of the liability they may face if someone trips, falls, and gets hurt on their sidewalk.”

Liability for homeowners

In fact, the city’s Department of Transportation indicates that “home owners may bear civil liability for a person suffering personal injury or property damage caused by a defective sidewalk; it is in the homeowners’ best interest to maintain the sidewalk and reduce the risk of a lawsuit.”

Kaleel also notes that issues of broken sidewalks are rarely a problem in newer neighborhoods in or around Sacramento. “In Natomas, for instance, you’d almost never have to repair a sidewalk,” she adds. Kaleel represents buyers and sellers in Sacramento, Midtown, Land Park, Curtis Park, East Sacramento, Tahoe Park, and Hollywood Park. “These are older neighborhoods and you definitely see more issues in terms of cracked sidewalks in these areas.”

Homeowners are recommended to examine the condition of their sidewalks. According to the city’s Department of Transportation, whether you are a new homeowner or you have owned the home for several years, if you receive a notice it might mean the hazardous sidewalk was reported to the city through the 3-1-1 call center. Complaints require the city to respond promptly, within 72 hours – to prevent the defect from creating a safety hazard, endangering persons or property or interfering with public convenience.

During a recent February meeting, District 5 Sacramento councilmember Jay Schenirer, along with city representatives met with Hollywood Park neighbors to discuss concerns over cracked sidewalks and complaints received by the city.

Sidewalks are constantly subjected to the elements, and expands and contracts depending on the weather. Concrete is perhaps one of the most durable floor surfaces ever developed, according to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI’s). In fact, a typical concrete sidewalk can have a lifespan of 40 to 50 years but our hot summers and cold winters as well as our many trees can deteriorate the sidewalks.

It’s the owner’s responsibility

According to the city, “cracks, spacing, and grade displacements in your sidewalk also can impede public access and cause serious accidents for passers-by. The City of Sacramento code (12.32.010 and 12.32.020) requires property owners to maintain their sidewalks in such a way that they do not create a safety hazard, endanger persons or property, or interfere with public convenience. The city has specific criteria for determining whether or not a sidewalk requires repair, including the grading and spacing of the sidewalk.”

The city’s 3-1-1 telephone service can help answer any questions or schedule an inspector to inspect your sidewalk to determine if repair is necessary. But city inspectors do not canvass neighborhoods looking for defective sidewalks, and sidewalk inspections are performed when a citizen reports a defective sidewalk. The report may have been associated with the sidewalk in front of your house or in front of a nearby property.

Once reported, the city inspects all sidewalks, curb and gutter up to 75 feet in both directions from the site of the reported defective sidewalk. About 70 percent of complaints come from citizens. The remaining complaints arise when city workers are already in the neighborhood. If they see a defect, they must report it but the city doesn’t go around to each neighborhood and “look” for defects.

Additionally, sidewalks are generally in the city’s right-of-way. In addition, the California Streets and Highways Code Sections 5610 through 5618 allow cities throughout California to require property owners to maintain the sidewalks in front of their property. Sacramento is not the only city to require sidewalk repairs to be the property owner’s responsibility.

“Your Sidewalk” – City of Sacramento website

If you receive a letter from the city that informs you of needed sidewalk repair, or if you believe you have faulty sidewalks, check out the city’s online resource called “Your Sidewalk” (http://www.cityofsacramento.org/transportation/street/sidewalksyour.html).

The city will work with the property owner for the best financial resolution. Generally, an owner will receive a bid and the bill will not exceed the bid. If the work is completed cheaper than the bid, that is what the property owners pay. It’s also interest free.

The property owners may seek other bids but the work must be done to code and be re-inspected by a city inspector. When getting their own bid, the work permit must be purchased by the home owner. If the home owner receives notice from the city and they decide to let the city do the work, that serves as the work permit and another is not required.

If it turns out that you need to perform repairs to your sidewalk, and you feel up to the task yourself, home improvement websites like offer good tips (for example: http://www.familyhandyman.com/search?q=sidewalk).  If you consider doing the repair yourself, be warned that it’s a labor-intensive project and it’s not inexpensive.

If you’re not experienced with concrete, you may want to hire experts. They may best know how to lay the concrete.

Hi Neighbors!

Welcome to our new blog.
I am honored and humbled to have been elected as the president of the Hollywood Park Neighborhood Association. I know that I have big shoes to fill but I’m up for the challenge. Here’s a little bit
of background about me – My other half (Dan) and I bought our house on 23rd Avenue two years
ago in March after we fell in love with the neighborhood (and crashed a HPNA meeting before
putting in an offer!). I find myself saying, “I LOVE my neighborhood” on more occasions than I
can count. A big part of that has to do with the fact that the community comes together for many
reasons – school fund-raisers, 4th of July Parade, supporting local businesses and others.
We’ve made some updates in the last year that I hope that you have noticed – a new look, a new
web-site and increased communications. We have a monthly short e-blast that goes out with a few
neighborhood updates and events. If you would like to be on the e-blast, sign up at www.hollywoodpark95822.org. We also need
volunteers for events and committees, so if you would like to participate, send us an email at hpna95822@gmail.com and let us
know.
One last request, I would love to meet all of you so please feel free to say hello if you see me walking around the neighborhood
or at the general meetings.

Thanks!

Karla Fung