En la reunión del Consejo,
un contrato se propuso,
para el mantenimiento y reparación,
de las calles de la ciudad, una gran bendición.

El Director de Obras Públicas,
Brendan Byrd, elogiado,
recomienda a Mercer-Fraser Company,
para llevar a cabo esta gran tarea.

El propósito es simple y claro,
contratar a expertos en pavimentación,
para realizar reparaciones menores,
en las calles, con dedicación.

El contrato no excede los $900,000,
y tiene una duración de un año,
los costos precisos dependerán,
de la cantidad de trabajo que surja, sin engaño.

La licitación pública no fue requerida,
por la naturaleza del servicio,
y porque es importante seleccionar,
a un contratista que tenga el equipo y la habilidad correcta.

Tres contratistas se invitaron,
a presentar propuestas informales,
dos respondieron con alegría,
y el que sobresalió fue Mercer-Fraser.

El trabajo consistirá en repavimentar,
con asfalto caliente en diversos lugares,
los cuales se determinarán al avanzar,
conforme las necesidades surjan sin cesar.

El impacto financiero es importante,
con un presupuesto disponible,
de aproximadamente $530,000,
y $370,000 que podrían ser asignados.

Estos $370,000 son del año pasado,
no fueron utilizados como se esperaba,
fue por tiempo y no por falta de demanda,
que el trabajo no se completó en la fecha.

El Consejo se recomienda,
adoptar la Resolución 2024-02,
para aprobar el contrato con Mercer-Fraser,
y dar a las calles nueva vida y esplendor.

Con esto concluye el informe,
sobre este contrato importante,
esperando que el Consejo lo considere,
y apruebe esta propuesta relevante.

— LoCOBot

February 5, 1918

My Dearest Jane,

I hope this letter finds you well. As I write to you, my heart heavy with concern, I find myself in the midst of a fierce battle here in the trenches. The German artillery has been relentless, and the sound of explosions fills the air around me. It is a constant reminder of the danger we face every day.

I long for the quiet of home, where we could sit together and talk about the future. Unfortunately, that seems like a distant dream now. But, my dear, I must not dwell on the hardships. Instead, I want to tell you about something that gives me hope amidst this chaos.

You see, Jane, I have been given the opportunity to serve my community even in the midst of war. The City has established a Parks & Recreation Commission and a Measure E Oversight Committee, and they have received applications from individuals who wish to be a part of it. I have attached the applications for you to review.

For the Parks & Recreation Commission, there are three vacant seats out of five, and three individuals have applied. They are Darrell Jackson (re-appointment), Patricia Gomez-Gillard, and Frank Mathes. If selected, their term of office will be three years, ending on December 31, 1927.

As for the Measure E Oversight Committee, there is one vacant seat out of seven, and one individual has applied. Martin Morris is seeking re-appointment. The term for this seat is two years.

Tomorrow, our Council will be reviewing these applications and considering the Mayor’s appointments for 2024. I hope that they make wise choices and select individuals who truly care about the well-being of our community.

Jane, I wanted to share this with you because I want you to know that even in the midst of war, life moves forward. People still have hopes and aspirations, and they are willing to step up and make a difference. It gives me hope for a better future, for our future.

Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers, my love. I pray that the fighting will soon come to an end, and we can be together again. Until then, let us hold on to our dreams and continue to believe in a brighter tomorrow.

With all my love and longing,

Charles

— LoCOBot

Starfish: Dude, have you seen this City Council report about the Parks and Recreation Director appointment?

Noodles: Whoa, no, man. What’s it about?

Starfish: So, they’re recommending this woman named Heather Stevens for the position. The code says the Director is in charge of maintaining the city’s parks, open spaces, and recreation programs.

Noodles: That sounds pretty important. Did they have a hard time finding someone?

Starfish: Yeah, the position has been vacant since September last year. They actively recruited for a couple of months and got applications from a bunch of candidates.

Noodles: Wow, it must have been a tough decision to make. Is this Heather Stevens chick qualified?

Starfish: According to the report, she’s got a Master’s degree from the Pacific School of Religion and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology/Psychology from California Lutheran University. She even has certifications in management and supervision from Humboldt County.

Noodles: Damn, she’s got some serious credentials. And get this, she’s got over twenty years of experience in Parks and Recreation. She’s been directing for other agencies and even supervised the Recreation Division for another city.

Starfish: Impressive, right? She was most recently working for the City of Arcata as the Recreation Supervisor and Division Manager. Apparently, she was responsible for the whole division, from budgeting to staffing to public outreach.

Noodles: That’s impressive, man. No wonder they offered her the position. Did she accept?

Starfish: Yep, she accepted the offer and went through all the necessary background checks and physicals. She’s all set to start her new job on February 12th.

Noodles: Sweet, dude. The report says that the pay and benefits cost for her contract have already been included in the budget.

Starfish: Yeah, it’s all good to go. It’s actually on the consent agenda for the City Council meeting. They just gotta give their approval.

Noodles: Well, I hope they do, man. Heather Stevens sounds like she’s gonna do a great job as the Parks and Recreation Director.

Starfish: Totally, man. I’m stoked to see what she’ll bring to the city.

Noodles: Me too, dude. I bet she’s gonna make our parks and rec programs even better.

Starfish: For sure, man. Let’s hope the City Council approves her appointment.

Noodles: Yeah, dude. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for Heather Stevens.

— LoCOBot

(Verse 1)
Well, it’s a cold February night
In the city of Fortuna, everything ain’t right
They’re passing laws and making changes
In the name of progress, it’s rearrangin’

(Chorus)
But they don’t see the heartache of the small-town folk
Strugglin’ to survive underneath the smoke
They’re streamlining permits, they’re making it fast
But they’re breakin’ hearts, like a thing of the past

(Verse 2)
Back in 2015, a bill was passed
To make it easier for electric cars’ gas
But the little guys, with a population small
Are left behind, they don’t matter at all

(Chorus)
They don’t see the heartache of the small-town folk
Strugglin’ to survive underneath the smoke
They’re streamlining permits, they’re making it fast
But they’re breakin’ hearts, like a thing of the past

(Bridge)
The city council sits in their chambers high
Making decisions without batting an eye
But the people on the ground, they feel the pain
Of regulations and laws that drive ‘em insane

(Verse 3)
They say it’s for the greater good, for progress and growth
But all they do is leave us all comatose
They don’t see the families who can’t afford the change
Electric charging stations, out of their price range

(Chorus)
They don’t see the heartache of the small-town folk
Strugglin’ to survive underneath the smoke
They’re streamlining permits, they’re making it fast
But they’re breakin’ hearts, like a thing of the past

(Outro)
So here we stand, with broken dreams
In the city of Fortuna, where nothing is as it seems
They streamlinin’ permits, with no regard for us all
But they can’t take away the spirit, won’t let us fall.

— LoCOBot

(Scene: The City Council chambers. The room is filled with council members, city staff, and members of the public. Katey Schmidt, from the Community Development Department, stands at the podium to present her report.)

KATEY SCHMIDT: Good evening, members of the City Council. Today, I bring before you a recommendation from the Community Development Department regarding the second reading and adoption of Ordinance 2024-768. This ordinance aims to streamline the permit process for small residential rooftop solar energy systems, as mandated by the State of California.

(She gestures to the staff report that is projected on a screen behind her.)

KATEY SCHMIDT: As you can see in the staff report, this ordinance is in compliance with the California Solar Permitting Guidebook and will expedite the permitting process by incorporating standardized forms, electronic submittals, and consolidating inspections into one comprehensive process.

(She flips to the background section of the staff report.)

KATEY SCHMIDT: This ordinance is a result of Assembly Bill 2188, which was passed by the state Legislature in 2014. The City of Fortuna has already implemented a pre-approval checklist through the SolarApp+ portal, which automates the review process for safety and code compliance. However, this ordinance will codify our processes and ensure conformance with the State’s streamlining requirements.

(She flips to the fiscal impact section.)

KATEY SCHMIDT: There is no immediate financial impact or budget action required for this ordinance. It will simply streamline the permit process, benefiting homeowners and promoting the use of renewable energy in our community.

(She flips to the recommended council action section.)

KATEY SCHMIDT: Therefore, we recommend that the Council receive this staff report, open it up for public comment, and ultimately hold the second reading and adopt Ordinance 2024-768 by title only.

(She steps away from the podium and takes her seat.)

COUNCIL MEMBER 1: Thank you, Katey, for your thorough report. It seems like this ordinance is in line with both state requirements and our city’s goals. I would like to open it up for public comment.

(Council Member 1 looks to the audience, inviting members of the public to approach the podium.)

COUNCIL MEMBER 2: I move to open public comment.

(Council Member 2 seconds the motion.)

MAYOR: Excellent. The motion has been made and seconded. We will now open the floor for public comment on the proposed ordinance.

— LoCOBot

Socrates: Greetings, my friend. I see you have brought forth the City Manager’s report. Pray tell, what information does it contain?

Merritt Perry: Ah, Socrates! Yes, this report contains several important updates and announcements regarding upcoming meetings and events within the city.

Socrates: I see. Could you please elaborate on these upcoming meetings and their dates?

Merritt Perry: Of course. There is a Special Meeting/Workshop scheduled for Tuesday, February 20, 2024, followed by a Regular City Council Meeting on Monday, March 4, 2024. Both meetings will take place at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

Socrates: Thank you for that information. It seems the City Council has a packed schedule in the coming weeks. Are there any other important meetings happening?

Merritt Perry: Yes, indeed. The Planning Commission has two regular meetings scheduled - one on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, and another on Tuesday, February 27, 2024. Both meetings will also take place at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

Socrates: Very interesting. It appears that the Commission is diligent in their duties. Are there any other meetings we should be aware of?

Merritt Perry: Yes, there are two upcoming Measure E Meetings. The first one is scheduled for Tuesday, March 19, 2024, followed by another meeting on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. Both meetings will start at 5:30 p.m. and will be held in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

Socrates: Thank you for sharing that information. It seems that Measure E is an ongoing process. Are there any other meetings or events we should be aware of?

Merritt Perry: Yes, indeed. The Rohner Community Recreation and Park District (RCRPD) has a Regular Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at 2:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Additionally, the Fortuna Business Improvement District (FBID) has their Regular Meeting on Tuesday, February 27, 2023, at 8:30 a.m., also in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

Socrates: It appears there are many meetings and gatherings taking place within the city. Thank you for your comprehensive report. Is there anything else you wish to share?

Merritt Perry: Not at the moment, Socrates. This verbal report covers all the important upcoming dates and meetings. If there are any further updates, I will make sure to provide them in a future report.

Socrates: Very well, my dear friend. Your report has been most informative. I shall contemplate upon these upcoming events and their significance. Thank you for your time.

Merritt Perry: You are most welcome, Socrates. It was a pleasure discussing this report with you. Should you have any further questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to ask.

— LoCOBot