Superintendent Ed Felt and City Manager Michael Holland confirmed that the two agencies are working toward a five-year lease agreement for the city-owned building at Main and Kern streets.

The city recently vacated the building to move to the new City Hall on the second floor of the IOOF Building, which it purchased last summer.

The school district headquarters are currently housed in the second floor of a building tucked away at the north end of Main Street, a location which officials said poses concerns regarding both accessibility and convenience to the public. The offices can only be reached by exterior staircase.

“If we were to stay here, I think we would need to seriously consider modifications to this building that meet the Americans With Disabilities Act,” Felt told Mattos Newspapers. “It would probably require either a wheelchair lift or an elevator.”

The former City Hall location would be well-suited to housing the district administration, Felt added.

“I think it is a great location, it would be accessible, and the city has made a very fair offer,” he commented. “I’m hoping that we can put something together. I think it would be good for the district and for the community to have us in that location.”

The district offices receive a significant amount of visitors, Felt added, ranging from parents and staff to vendors and delivery people.

“There is a lot of foot traffic that enters this building,” he stated. “A ground-level building would be much more accessible for all of our clients. These offices really serve our community.”

The square footage of the two facilities is roughly comparable, the superintendent pointed out, but the layout of the city-owned building is more efficient.

“There is a wonderful entry area for the public. There are four private offices, which is what we have now, and a meeting room equivalent to what we have here. I think it would serve our purposes well,” Felt stated.

Preliminary negotiations have included agreements on what issues would need to be addressed before the city handed over the keys to the building and decisions on what the city would do in preparation as well as what improvements the district would make.

The five-year proposal starts with a rent-free first year, Felt said, and escalates to $1,000 a month in the final year of the agreement. The rent would total $36,000 over a five-year period, according to the superintendent, which pencils out to be well below the going rate for office space.

Holland agreed.

“We could easily find somebody who would go in there at a higher rate, but we would like to see the school district in there,” he commented. “I think it is a ‘win-win’ situation for both sides.”

The governing boards of each agency must still sign off on a lease agreement.

Felt said he anticipates taking an agreement to the school board Monday, May 14. Holland anticipates the matter going to the council for approval at its May 22 meeting.

If an agreement is finalized, the district hopes to be operating in the new location by July 1.

“It would be nice to have June to work with the city to prepare the building and have it ready for use to occupy at the start of the new fiscal year,” Felt noted.

The district would not abandon its existing facility, he stressed, but would convert it to uses such as a staff development and training center.

“This building will continue to be used,” Felt asserted.

The course of the proposed lease would give the district time to look into longer-term options, he added.

“The five years would give us time to decide what direction we need to take for a permanent location,” Felt concluded.

The alternative, a county official said, is to essentially start over on plans to transform the Crows Landing air facility into a job-generating center by issuing a new call for development proposals on the site.

Officials confirmed last week that Kamilos had requested additional time to complete the work.

He had previously been granted a 15-month extension by a 3-2 vote of the board of supervisors, which gave him until June of this year to finish the documents.

While the extension was granted, some supervisors who approved the request stated that they would not look favorably on future delays – but Kamilos told Mattos Newspapers last week that the depth of information being analyzed in the environmental studies will take longer to evaluate.

“We felt that we had a pretty good handle on the breadth of what needed to be analyzed, but as we got into the analysis we began digging deeper and deeper,” he explained. “We started that process, and we are going to need another six months to finish it.”

Kamilos is proposing a 2,800-acre project which would include an inland port served by a rail connection to the Port of Oakland, an industrial park, a general aviation component and a solar field.

The project was scaled back from its initial 4,800 acres, and Kamilos said West Park has also agreed to reduce the size of the solar energy component by about 400 acres, or roughly half the original proposal, so that no Williamson Act land is developed within the project. That change was the result of an accord reached with the county Farm Bureau, Kamilos said.

Even in its smaller version, West Park is projected to generate 17,000 jobs.

The project was widely opposed on the West Side, in part because of the overall scope as initially presented dwarfed the size of the 1,500-acre air base which the county acquired for economic development purposes.

Supervisor Jim DeMartini, who represents the West Side, has been an outspoken critic of the West Park project from the start.

He voted against granting the initial extension request, and told Mattos Newspapers Friday that he believes the county should issue a call for new proposals to develop the air field.

“I just think it is time to open it up again and see what other interest there is,” DeMartini commented. “He could apply again, but we could see if there is any other interest in the project beside his.”

DeMartini said Kamilos had initially asked to be granted a one-year extension, but that the time frame was reduced to six months.

“I am willing to listen to what he has to say, but it would take a lot of convincing for me to (vote for) an additional extension,” the supervisor stated. “I’m not sure he can give me any good reason to vote for an extension.”

The city of Newman, which has formally opposed any project at the site which exceeds the footprint of the air facility, lobbied last year for the county to start over by issuing a new request for proposals.

City Manager Michael Holland declined to say what the city’s position would be on the latest request.

“I’m not entirely surprised (by the request), I want to see the full presentation to see where they’re at,” he commented.

Kamilos said he has supervisors on the situation and believes that they are willing to consider the extension.

He said extensive work has been done on the project, that West Park has reached out to the West Side communities as it was asked to and that the project as it now stands is gaining public support because of the jobs it will provide.

“This is not about a restart. It is about finishing the job,” he said of the request for an extension.

Keith Boggs, Stanislaus County’s point man on the West Park project, said supervisors will consider the request for an extension at their June 19 meeting.

“The board of supervisors can either grant the six months or not. It is very straightforward,” Boggs commented. “If they do not grant it, it means starting over.”

Gustine is a small community with a hundred-year history of celebrating the nation’s independence in a big way, and organizers are planning more of the same this year – a red, white and blue-themed celebration complete with a parade, park activities, fireworks and more.

Organizers are still finalizing plans and wrapping up details.

It remained to be seen this week if there will be a 2012 Miss Gustine Pageant, said Crickett Brinkman, one of the event organizers.

She said the June 30 pageant is still in need of contestants. Organizers have extended the deadline to Friday, May 18, she told Mattos Newspapers. The pageant is open to current high school freshmen, sophomore and junior girls. At least five contestants are required for the pageant to be held, according to Brinkman.

The Miss Gustine Pageant returned to the festivities in 2011 following a two-year hiatus. Those interested in participating are asked to contact Brinkman, 595-7103, or Janelle Lerno, 996-8384.

Parade, fireworks fund-raising

The Gustine Chamber of Commerce is once again sponsoring the Fourth of July parade and raising funds for the fireworks show which brings the annual festivities to a close.

Chamber Secretary Judi Gandy said the fireworks budget alone is $20,000 – not including the operational expenses such as the annual fund-raising letters recently sent out to the community.

Gandy said donations of all amounts are greatly appreciated. Sponsorships starting at $250 are also available, she noted.

The popular fireworks show is only made possible by the support of the community, she stressed.

Community responses to the mass mailer letter and corporate sponsorships are both important sources of fireworks funding, Gandy said.

“We are doing well with the corporate sponsors, and the people who receive the mailing are very generous as well,” she explained. “The fireworks are just a tradition in this community that people want to continue.”

The chamber will also host a fund-raising wine, beer and cheese tasting and dinner Saturday, June 2, at the Peters Ranch. Tickets for the popular event are available by calling 854-6975.

“People are coming in and buying tickets. We usually sell that event out,” Gandy noted. She said organizers are still accepting donations of items for that evening’s drawings and auction.

“Sometimes people will donate something that costs $25 but we’ll get $400 for it at the auction,” she said. “People just want to do that to support the Fourth of July.”

Park activities

A community group will once again be sponsoring park activities the afternoon of the Fourth.

Organizers said they are still finalizing plans, but hope to include children’s activities, a frog jump and a live band, among other activities.

The running of the bulls featured each of the past two years will not be part of this year’s celebration, the committee confirmed.

Applications to past food vendors were mailed recently. Food booths are limited to Newman and Gustine vendors, and organizers are trying to avoid duplication of items. Applications for food booths will close June 1.

Those interested in having a food booth at Gustine’s July 4 park activities are asked to contact Tiffany Bloom, 617-6063.

The building across from Henry Miller Park long shared by City Hall staff and GPD is now entirely the police department’s to utilize – and little time was wasted in starting the conversion.

Most of the improvements and changes will be out of the public eye, City Manager Greg Greeson and Police Chief Doug Dunford said, but operationally the police department will be trading cramped, outdated facilities for expanded space that will serve for years to come.

“It will be a big change for us,” Dunford commented. “We are taking over a large building after being in a very small area, and we will be renovating and moving three-quarters of the department while still maintaining service to the public.”

Work is already under way on the renovation. The project has been coordinated to allow the department to remain in the building while work takes place.

Dunford said putting up with construction related inconveniences will prove well worthwhile when the project is finished in a few months.

“There is going to be some space. People are going to go from having to rub elbows in order to do their jobs to actually being able to move around without tripping over each other,” he explained. “This is going to be better for the employees and for the public. We’re getting better facilities, better services and better systems.”

He said the existing police department facilities do not meet current standards, but were essentially “grandfathered in” as guidelines changed.

The department currently lacks a booking room, and at times individuals in custody have been held in the front lobby.

The existing locker room doubles as a break room, with four lockers for 15 officers to share.

A hallway doubles as a storage room, the evidence room is little more than a closet and office space is at a premium.

All that is changing.

Dunford said the old restrooms will be updated, with a locker room off each so that female and male officers each have private dressing quarters.

The room which served as the City Council chambers (and for years a courtroom) will be divided, with a portion serving as an updated evidence room and the remainder to serve as a training/conference room.

The former City Hall work spaces and offices across the way from the current PD will be occupied by the police department, with offices for the chief and sergeant and a work area for officers. The current police offices will be converted to storage, a booking room and an interview room.

“We will have our own break room, we will have an armory for weapons storage and we will have supply rooms where we can actually clear out the hallways,” Dunford commented. “We will actually be able to separate people who we want to separate into different areas of the building. It is going to be more secure.”

Office staff members will continue to greet the public from their existing location.

“The cost of moving all the data supply sources that come into the Police Department (in that area) were just too prohibitive considering our limited budget,” Dunford explained.

In the midst of remodeling and expanding, the department is also going to be changing dispatch services and implementing a new records management system, Greeson and Dunford noted.

The City Hall/PD project is being made possible through a USDA-backed funding package.

Greeson estimated that the renovation of the building, which will include re-roofing, will take two to three months.

But, Dunford said, it will be worth the wait.

“This is going to be like going from a two-seat prop plane to a 737,” he stated.

Firefighters from Gustine, Stevinson, Hilmar and Los Banos (county engine) responded to the blaze, which was reported shortly before 7 p.m. on a dairy near the intersection of Preston Road and Santa Fe Grade.

CalFire Engineer Ken Mancebo and CalFire/Merced County Fire Department spokesman Mario Rivera said firefighters were able to protect two nearby propane tanks and save the pole barn in which the bales were stored.

Rivera said firefighters were able to quickly contain the fire, but that it took about three hours to bring the blaze fully under control.

The bales were valued at about $3,500.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Public suggestions will be used in developing a non-motorized transportation plan, Assistant Planner Stephanie Ocasio said.

“We want to make Newman more pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly for the public,” she explained. “We want to hear concerns and ideas from the public.”

Amenities could include designation of walking trails and bicycle paths, Ocasio said by way of example, and could also include suggestions for safety-related improvements.

One goal, Ocasio said, is to develop a plan which would qualify for funding from Caltrans and other sources to put those improvements into place.

The community meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the L.J. Newman Memorial Building.

Refreshments will be served.

Community members seeking additional information may contact Ocasio at 862-3725 or by email at socasio@cityofnewman.com.

Arturo Cornejo Estrada

Arturo Cornejo Estrada, 66, of Newman, passed away May 6.

Mr. Cornejo Estrada was a native of Michoacan, Mexico, and was a resident of Newman for 17 years.

He worked as a field irrigator for many years.

Mr. Cornejo Estrada was a parishioner at the Shrine of Our Lady of Miracles.

He is survived by his wife, Graciela Cornejo of Newman; two sons, Nelson Cornejo of Gustine and Rigoberto Cornejo of Newman; a daughter, Anabey Cornejo of Newman; two brothers, Roberto Cornejo of Newman and Miguel Cornejo of Mexico; and four sisters, Elvira Varela of San Ramon, and Lidia Carillo, Patricia Cornejo and Bertha Cornejo, all of Mexico.

Visitation will be held today (Thursday) from 5-7 p.m. at the Shrine of Our Lady of Miracles, with a rosary to follow.

A second visitation will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, May 11, followed by a funeral mass at 11 at the Shrine of Our Lady of Miracles.

Interment will be in Hills Ferry Cemetery.

Hillview Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Rosa Duarte

Rosa Texeira Duarte of Newman passed away May 5.

She was 91.

Mrs. Duarte was a native of Terceira, the Azores, and had lived in Newman for more than 60 years. She was a homemaker.

Mrs. Duarte was a parishioner at St. Joachim’s Catholic Church. She loved animals, baking, gardening and spending time with her family.

She is survived by her son, Manuel Duarte of Oregon; four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Manuel Duarte, in 1986.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 Wednesday, May 16, at Hillview Funeral Chapel, Newman. A rosary will follow.

A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 17, at St. Joachim’s Catholic Church, Newman.

Interment will be in Hills Ferry Cemetery.

Tilva Souza

Tilva Leonardo Souza of Newman passed away May 6.

She was 89.

Mrs. Silva was born in Los Banos. She was a lifelong resident of Newman.

She was a homemaker.

Mrs. Souza is survived by three sons, Bill Souza of Newman and Bob Souza and Joe Souza, both of Gustine; a daughter, Carol Nygard of Sacramento; a sister, Delores Kirkes of Turlock; nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph O. Souza, who passed away in 2003.

Visitation will be held from 4-5 Monday, May 14, at Hillview Funeral Chapel, Gustine. A rosary will be  held at 7 p.m. at the chapel.

A second visitation will be held at 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 15, at the Shrine of Our Lady of Miracles, followed by a funeral mass at 10.

Interment will be in Hills Ferry Cemetery.

Remembrances may be directed to: Hospice of Emanuel Medical Center, 825 Delbon Ave., Turlock 95382.

Driver eludes authorities

Newman police said an attempted traffic stop Saturday evening ended with a vehicle abandoned on the grounds of a local church and its driver eluding arrest.

According to police reports, an officer attempted to make a traffic stop of an individual believed to be driving on a suspended license. Authorities said the officer attempted to make the stop in the area of Q and Mariposa, only to see the driver accelerate away, turn south onto P Street and drive onto the lot of the Orestimba Presbyterian Church.

Police reports stated that the driver then fled the scene.

Weekly activity report

Newman police received 190 calls for service, handled 21 cases, made 10 arrests, issued 23 traffic citations and towed two vehicles in the week ending May 6, according to the department’s weekly activity report.