May 2016, Vol. 2, No. 5

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Norwood Park Gets Make-Over

Funding the City’s ongoing repair, maintenance, rehabilitation, and reconstruction of existing infrastructure, including neighborhood parks such as Norwood Park, has been a growing challenge for Daly City. In fact, all cities across the country face this challenge.

Much of the City’s infrastructure is at the end of its useful life. Before the new play structure was installed, the old equipment had been here for over 20 years. While it served many Daly City children, it was time to replace it.

One effective strategy for replacing outdated and unsafe play equipment is grant funding. It is especially prudent to leverage local taxpayer money. In October 2014, the City applied for a $187,000 grant from the State’s Department of Housing and Community Development. The City had to match this with approximately $20,000. For merely $20,000 we were able to replace swing sets, play structures, bike racks, and picnic tables. In addition, this park is now handicap accessible.

The grant and project took a team of staff to make it all come together. Thanks to Economic and Community Development staff, Betsy Zobell and Lenelle Suliguin, who secured the grant. Public Works staff, including Ryan Brunmeier, project manager, Hae Won Ritchie, Sibely Calles, Alain Pereur, Karl Moll, Dennis Bray, and our Parks Maintenance staff, who worked together to construct the project.

City staff is pursuing another grant, and if awarded, residents can expect to see a similar project at Alta Loma Park.

Earth Day Event Recap

On April 16, 2016, the City held an Earth Day Event featuring a variety of free services, including document shredding, electronic waste (e-waste) collection, reuse donations to Goodwill, a compost giveaway, and information on a variety of environmental programs. Thank you to the 400+ residents that came to the event!

We collected over 60 gaylords of e-waste (gaylords are the term for the cardboard containers you see in the photos above). That’s five large truck loads of e-waste from 300 donors! These materials were collected by Goodwill’s Recompute Program, an e-waste recycling and reuse initiative in Redwood City. We want to thank San Francisco Conservation Corps members for helping over donors unload items from their vehicles.

The document shredding truck was continuously shredding during the entire 4-hour event! In fact, we collected 2,500 pounds of paper - that's over a ton! Recycling a ton of paper saves 17 mature trees, 7,000 gallons of water, three cubic yards of landfill space, two barrels of oil, and 4,100 kilowatt hours of electricity, enough energy to power the average American home for five months.

Residents took advantage of the free compost giveaway for use in their gardens. In addition, residents had an opportunity to learn about ways to save energy and money, how to dispose of used motor oil and used oil filters, and so much more!

Due to high demand, the City plans to make the e-waste collection a quarterly event, so stay tuned for future dates!

City Receives $4.6 Million in Grant Funding

Central Corridor Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements
The City was selected for grant funding from a statewide competitive program for the full request amount of $2.0 million. The City leveraged another grant in the amount of $154,000 and only needed to use $103,000 of local funding to secure the $2.0 million grant, making this project 95% grant funded!

The project will install bicycle routes/lanes and upgrade pedestrian facilities on Junipero Serra Blvd. from John Daly Blvd., to the City limit with the Town of Colma near D Street and on Eastmoor, San Pedro Road, East Market Street, and Guadalupe Canyon Parkway within the City’s limits.

Pedestrian improvements will include bulb outs and curb access and the implementation of pedestrian visibility improvements at heavily trafficked intersections such as Junipero Serra Blvd. and John Daly Blvd. In addition, the project will include the installation of approximately 1,050 linear feet of curb, gutter and sidewalk along Mission Street between San Pedro Road and A Street where no sidewalk currently exists.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Visibility Improvements
The City has received $337,500 from the San Mateo County Transportation Authority to make pedestrian and bicycle visibility improvements. The City’s match for the grant is only $37,500 and the total estimated costs are $375,000, making this project 90% grant funded.

The project will install flashing pedestrian signals at three uncontrolled intersections heavily utilized by pedestrians. These intersections include:

Southgate Avenue at Crestwood Drive
San Pedro Road at Reiner Street
Geneva Avenue at Oriente Street

The bicycle improvements include the installation of approximately 10 miles of bicycle routes and lanes, which were identified in the City’s Bicycle Master Plan.

John Daly Boulevard Streetscape Improvements
The City has received over $2.2 million in state and Measure A grants to fund the John Daly Boulevard Streetscape Improvement Project.

This project will improve the John Daly Boulevard corridor from Mission Street (the Top of the Hill) to Delong Street (the BART station). Improvements include the installation of bicycle lanes and/or route, a buffered sidewalk, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant features, new lighting, and new landscaping in the medians incorporating bio-retention to treat storm water runoff from the street. The construction of the project is currently estimated at $3.3 million. The majority of this project – around 70% is supported with grant funding.

As budgets continue to feel the strain of rising costs, we’re proud when we can leverage limited local tax dollars through grants, also referred to as, “other people’s money.”

Does the City require door-to-door solicitors get a license?

When you get a solicitor knocking at your front door, how do you know if they are legitimate? Many of us have heard stories about suspicious and illegal activity by people posing as legitimate solicitors. Residents should approach every solicitor with caution. One effective approach is to speak to the solicitor from behind a closed door and ask them to show you their business license.

The City requires solicitors to complete a business license application and a route request form (Municipal Code 5.16.050). This is then submitted to the Police Department for approval. The business must pay a $101 annual business license fee and $25 per day per solicitor fee. You may call the Police Department’s non-emergency number at (650) 991-8119 to inquire.

If you encounter a solicitor who appears suspicious or behaves in a way that makes you uncomfortable or afraid, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Managing Overgrown Grass, Weeds, and Vegetation

With more rain, comes tall grass and weeds. While we enjoy seeing the rain, it can sometimes be difficult to keep up with the ongoing mowing and maintenance. Some residents may not be aware that the City of Daly City requires property owners to keep lawns and grass cut and shrubs and bushes trimmed.

The City recommends lawns are mowed before the grass exceeds six inches in height, and vegetation is cut back and removed if it is growing into the sidewalk area or covering any part of the sidewalk or curb area. Besides being an eyesore, overgrown lawns and lots can be a health and safety risk. These properties can be a harborage for rodents, insects and can also conceal trash, litter and debris and/or may be a fire hazard. This can be a serious issue for residents who live nearby and may result in a property being declared a public nuisance. Public nuisances are addressed by the Code Enforcement Division and property owners are required to abate the condition within a given deadline.

You can do your part to keep your neighborhood free of visual blight and public nuisance conditions by following the guidelines stated above. If you have questions regarding this subject, you may email the Code Enforcement Division at codeenforcement@dalycity.org or you may call (650) 991-8260 during business hours.

City Offices Closed in Observance of Memorial Day, Monday, May 30

City offices, libraries, and community centers will be closed Mon., May 30, 2016, in observance of Memorial Day. Parking enforcement to accommodate street sweeping will be suspended for the day. Street sweeping and parking enforcement will resume on Tues., May 31, 2016. Garbage and recycling collection will follow the regular schedule.

The Daly City Police and Fire Departments will remain open on Memorial Day. To report an emergency dial 9-1-1. Call (650) 991-8119 to report non-emergencies to the Daly City Police Department.

Republic Services offices will be open Memorial Day.

Visit w ww.republicservicesdalycity.com for information about recycling and garbage collection services, or call Republic Services Daly City office at (650) 756-1130.

Summer Learning Challenge Starts June 1
Enter for a chance to win a $1,000 scholarship to college

On average, students lose two months of reading skills over the summer. Studies show that reading four to five books over the summer has a positive impact comparable to summer school enrollment. Plus, this gives your child a chance to choose books that he or she is interested in, keeping the activity fun and interesting too!

Daly City’s public libraries have an exciting summer learning challenge that starts on June 1. Participating in summer learning is easy, fun, invaluable for your child’s development.

For your preschooler, log each day you read, sing, play, write, talk or go to a library program with your preschooler. After you’ve completed 30 activities, you’ve finished the summer learning challenge.

For kindergartners to 5^th graders, try reading for at least 15 minutes every day for 30 days and do six fun, new activities to complete the challenge.

For teens, try reading five books including novels, nonfiction, comic books, magazines, audiobooks and more! Log a one sentence review for each book, and enjoy six new activities to complete the challenge.

Get a free book for registering in person or online at www.summerlearners.org. Complete your log and come into any of our libraries to receive additional prizes and to be entered for a chance to win a $1,000 scholarship to college. Do the challenge again for another chance to win! The last chance to complete the challenge is August 31, 2016. Participating in summer learning is easy and fun!

This year, there is another simple way to win prizes. Simply visit the library. The library will have weekly prize drawings for youth 18 and under. Fill out one ticket per day. The more you visit, the better your chances are at winning cool prizes like tickets to an Oakland A’s game, Bel Mateo Bowl, the De Young, and other venues!

Adults can take on the reading challenge too! For adults 18 and over, read five books, magazines, blogs, poetry folios, graphic novels, e-publications or even non-fiction materials and write out a mini review for each. Also, enjoy 6 fun activities of your choice this summer and you can turn in your log to receive a prize as well. Summer fun for everyone!

Proposed Sewer Service Charge Public Hearing
Monday, June 13, at 6:45 pm

The North San Mateo County Sanitation District, a subsidiary of the City of Daly City, is holding a public hearing on Monday, June 13, at 6:45 pm, on the proposed sewer service charge. Staff is recommending an eight percent (8%) increase to the sewer service charge over the next three fiscal years. Sewer service charges are calculated on the basis of water consumed during winter months (January and February) billing cycle, and rates are determined based on the proposed budgeted expenditures for both capital and operating expenses in a given fiscal year.

Sewer rates are rising for a variety of reasons including:

Federal and state environmental mandates
Aging infrastructure and the need for capital improvements
Inflationary costs for operations and maintenance (equipment, personnel, insurance, electricity, etc.); and
Protecting against unexpected but necessary expenses by establishing operating and capital reserves

An average homeowner uses 15 units of water during winter’s billing cycle, which equals 90 units over the course of a year (x6 annualized). Last year’s cost per unit was $6.26/unit, and an 8% proposed increase would equal $6.76/unit. Last year the average homeowner paid $563.40 for sewage treatment services. The 8% proposed increase would cost the average homeowner $608.40; a $3.75 per month increase.

Prior to the public hearing the Director of Water and Wastewater Resources will convene a Citizen Advisory Committee comprised of homeowners and merchant association, and other stakeholder representatives to review the current and projected financial requirements needed to operate the North San Mateo County Sanitation District. The Committee will meet on Thursday, June 2, at 7:00 pm, in the Daly City Training Room, 1^st floor of City Hall.

The public hearing takes place on Monday, June 13, at 6:45 pm in the Board Chambers located at 333 90^th Street, Daly City. Comments or protests must be delivered to the District Recording Secretary, 153 Lake Merced Blvd., Daly City, CA, 94015. Residents may also call for further information at (650) 991-8200.

Coyote Sightings in Daly City

A few residents recently reached out to the City about an increase in coyote sightings. In response, Andrew Hughan, Information Officer for the Department of Fish and Wildlife, attended a community meeting, with approximately 50 people in attendance, to answer questions and dispel misunderstandings. Mr. Hughan noted that the coyotes that residents are seeing actually came from Marin County.

The coyote (Canis latrans), a member of the dog family, is native to California. It closely resembles a small German Shepard dog with the exception of the long snout and bushy, black-tipped tail. Coyotes are extremely adaptable and can survive on whatever food is available. Coyotes are opportunistic feeders that eat a wide variety of plants and animals, and are an important part of the natural ecosystem. They are critical to controlling rodent populations. They eat rabbits, mice, birds and other small animals.

While coyotes are more energetic and hunt more actively at night, it is not unusual to see them in the middle of the day. Because coyotes are so adaptable, problems may arise if they become comfortable seeking food or living in residential neighborhoods. Coyotes are very quick learners and will accept “hand-outs” from people in the form of table scraps, pet food, and garbage. The promise of food is what lures coyotes into neighborhoods and into specific yards. In these areas, coyotes may find it easier to target small domestic pets such as cats and dogs, which are often found in yards or allowed to roam free. Domesticated pets are not accustomed to protecting themselves from predators.

Sightings alone are not justification for action. If coyotes turn aggressive, then there may be actions that can be taken. Relocating a problem coyote is not an option because it only moves the problem to someone else’s neighborhood. In the meantime, it is important to keep small pets inside at night and avoid leaving out food and garbage that attracts coyotes.

If followed by a coyote, make loud noises. If this fails, throw rocks in the animal’s direction. If you feel threatened by a coyote, please do not hesitate to call 9-1-1. For more information on how best to protect you and your pets visit www.keepmewild.org.

Duck Sullivan

There was a time in Daly City when ducks were very special creatures. Homeowners raised ducks in their back yards. Children played with them. Adults used duck eggs with the same glee as eggs from other domestic fowl. Duck feathers were plucked and used as decorations on ladies’ go-to-meeting hats, or harvested for use as pillow or mattress stuffing.

Famous among Daly City pioneers was James J. Sullivan, a gentleman given the unique nickname of “Duck” by fellow settlers. He was one of the first service appointees designated by the newly-formed Daly City Council shortly after incorporation of the City in 1911.

At least two stories have been told over the decades about how James became known as “Duck.”

As Daly City’s first animal control officer, one of Mr. Sullivan’s official duties was the rounding up of stray animals for impound in a city-sponsored facility. The detainees included dogs, cats, horses, cattle, and various domestic fowl. The appointment was fortuitous and fortunate for Sullivan, whose penchant for animals was well known. Most of Sullivan’s “guests” were held until reclaimed by owners.

Affectionately, children of a century ago referred to the Pound Master as “Duck” because of his talent for turning waddling ducks into stars of impromptu performances given by the quackers. Sullivan trained the birds to march in formation from the pound to Daly’s Hill, stop on command in a cluster, maneuver right and left as Sullivan directed, proceed in orderly fashion back to the pound, and shuffle back to their quarters. Sullivan reportedly enjoyed the adoration of his audiences, the prestige of his office, and the opportunity to be of service to his city.

Mr. Sullivan was also a fan of prize fighting. Almost a decade before his adventures with Daly City ducks Sullivan had achieved some fame by way of ring-center participation in the manly art of fisticuffs.

James Sullivan, not to be confused with the 1890s heavyweight champion John L. Sullivan, was an ad-hoc referee for boxing events sponsored by the illustrious James W. “Sunny Jim” Coffroth. According to sports writer Dwight Chapin, Coffroth was “the nation’s first large-scale fight promoter, who got his nickname because of phenomenal luck with the weather. Many times,” Mr. Chapin wrote, “it rained hard the night before one of his big outdoor shows, but on the day of fights, it always came up clear.” Coffroth attracted thousands of spectators to his arenas throughout the Bay Area, including Daly City and Colma.

In 1904, welterweight champion Joe Walcott lost a San Francisco bout with Aaron Brown, who fought as the “Dixie Kid.” Walcott lost when referee Sullivan ruled that he continued punching his adversary during the time-out break between rounds. Walcott’s manager rushed into the ring and attacked Sullivan. The referee was accused of making a wrong decision.

The crowd yelled for Sullivan to “duck! duck!” Sullivan didn’t get the message. He lost two of his front teeth in the melee. He was also accused of having placed bets on the “Dixie Kid.” Spectators continued to encourage Sullivan to “duck!” Henceforth, in boxing circles, Sullivan became known as “Duck” Sullivan.

His stature is unique among Daly City “Threads of Yesterday.”

Get Food!

Everyone should have access to the nutritious foods they need to live a healthy, productive life. Unfortunately, due to the high cost of living, too many people in our community are not getting enough nutritious food to eat.

The Food Bank provides food to people in need where they live, learn, and work. Call the Food Connection at 1-800-984-3663, Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-5:00 pm, to be connected with free food resources.

The following programs serve Daly City residents:

Meals on Wheels - Applicants must be age 18 or older and unable to prepare their own meals or go out to eat, and have little or no assistance to obtain adequate meals. Call 1-800-675-8437.
WIC (Women, Infants and Children) - Provides pregnant and breastfeeding women and parents raising infants and children under the age of five with food vouchers, nutrition counseling and referrals to healthcare. Call 660-573-2168.
Senior Nutrition - High quality nutritious group meals for older adults (60+) at locations throughout the community. Call 1-800-675-8437.
North Peninsula Food Pantry & Dining Center of Daly City - Freshly prepared meals Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 5:00-6:00 pm, located at 31 Beplar St., Daly City. Call 650-994-5150.
Fresh Produce - Daly City's Community Service Center provides free fresh produce on the second and fourth Monday, at 9:30 am; located at 350 90th St., Daly City. Call 650-991-8007.

June 7, 2016 is the Presidential Primary Election.

Don't forget to vote!

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*Daly Wire is a monthly electronic newsletter from the City of Daly City

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City of Daly City · 333 90th Street · Daly City, Ca 94015 · USA