What do You want for Loomis in 2008?

What would you like for Loomis in 2008? I would like your suggestions. Please suggest things that improve Loomis.

Christmas Lights in Loomis

Check out the Christmas light in Loomis. There are several homes in Sunrise Loomis with a great deal of decorations.
Also rememebr to recycle your live trees at Del Oro by Jan i 2008

Loomis Chamber of Commerce

Having been a member of the Loomis Chamber of Commerce for over 10 years, it appears to me that the role of the chamber has been more of a social activity for it's members. One of it's main tasks is the monthly mixers. They have had quarterly informational scessions for the local bussinesses. Unlike other chamber that are very pro active for attracting bussiness to thier community, the Loomis Chamber has not been in that role for years. The current staff people are there as office employees and not as an executive director. The last time the Chamber actively tried to improve the bussiness climate in Loomis was then Hazel Hineline was executive director over 15 years ago. Hazel was active in getting new bussiness to come to Loomis.
I have met with the Chamber and they have been helpful in forming a committee headed by Vicki Morris to make suggestions on some things the council might do to help bussiness like downtown directional signs. I am still waiting to hear the response from the other council members of this proposal as it has been delayed for 3 months.

Downtown Needs Help

I am very concerned about the vacant store fronts. I have made several proposals at the Council meeting to address this problem but have not gotten any support from the rest of the Council. I have proposed meeting with the proptery owners and bussiness owners to see what could be done but was told "this is up to the Chamber of Commerce to do" I suggested directional signs to downtown like Auburn, Roseville and many other cities have but again no response. I asked that we get a Farmer's MArket back as we had. Again no support
I will continue in my efforts to inmprove the bussiness climate in downtown. Sooner or later this will happen

Fire District Assment Vote

Remember to send in your ballot for the fire district vote

No roundabout for mulit modal

On a 3-2 vote the Loomis Town Council did not approve the spending of $15,000 to place a round about at the train depot in downtown Loomis. A propsal for the project was requested by Council members Millworth and Kelly. The purpose of the project was to be able to place a christmas tree in the middle of Horseshoe Bar road in front of the train depot. The problem with the project is that it would eliminate buses from using the multi-modal as they currently do. The High school and ther Placer County bus system pick-up passengers at the bus stop in the multi-modal.
The council did vote to allow a hole to be place where the Christmas tree could go during the holiday season thus saving the Town thousands of dollars and allowing the buses to continue to pick-up passengers at the multi modal as it was designed to do.

Church Fire on King Road

The classrooms at the church on King road were destroyed by fire on Tuesday. This fire is being investigated as an arson and the FBI is involved in the case

Tree in Middle of Multi Modal Plaza

At the special Council meeting on November 6 Council members Kelly and Millword wil lask the council to award a $14,000 bid to place a round about in the middle of the multi- modal plaza. The round about will hold a cut christmas tree during the holidays.
I think this is poor planning as well as a waste of tax payers money. This area was designed as a plaza to be used for community events. The space is used for the Eggplant festival and for the summer concerts. Not only will it cost 14,000 but it will take out about 400 sq ft of colored concrete that cost over $8,000 to install,

This round about will not allow school buses to use this as a means to access Taylor Road in the morning as they now do as a bus will not be able to turn in this area.

There is a Xmas tree planted next to Wild Chicken. This was planned to be used as the Town tree and the plaza as a plaza.
I do not favor this idea

Street Lights at Horseshoe Bar and Taylor

Thanks for noticing that the right lights were put in at this intersection. When replacement bulbs were put in the wrong ones were purchased. The result was a very dark intersection. It took a while to get the right lights but they are in now.

Redevelopment Agency in Loomis

While most cities in Placer County have a redevelopment agency, Loomis does not.
There seems to be no intrest in Loomis to form one.

Train Depot

Well we are trying to decide which way to go with the train depot.
One side favors tearing down the depot and building a neq replica which would be more energy efficient. The other side favors restoring the existing building thus saving it historical value but maybe not as energy efficient,
Which way do you favor? Pick one please

Fire District Assement Proposal

The Loomis Fire District will be asking the people in the district if they would approve and additional fee of about $90 a year to keep the fire district operating.
Some of the advantages of the district operating are:

Lower Home Fire Insurance Rates

Best emergency response time in the area 4 minutes or less.

Local control of the department.


WHAT DO YOU THINK FAvor or not?

Park and Open Space Commission Meets

The Loomis Park and Open space commission held it's first meeting this week. This commission will be charged with developing a park and open space plan for the Town and recommending locations for parks and open space acquistion.

Toll Roads in California

At a recent conference information was provided about toll roads in Southern California, Currently there are several toll roads in the Los Angles area. Amoung them are the 91,73,133,261 and the proposed 241. These roads are all financed by private funds thus allowing gas tax money to be used on different projects.
The proposed 241 is similar in length to the Placer Parkway in Placer County . Placer Park Way would be a bypass for cars on IS80 going to and from Sacramento as the 241 is a bypass for IS5. Both projects would reduce travel time by the year 2025 from one hour down to 25 minutes. A brief study of the Placer PArkway was done by the Federal Highway Department and those were the results of the study.
If the Placer Park Way was a toll road it would free over 600 million dollars in funds to be used for other needed raod projects.
Would you pay a toll road fee of $3.00 to save 35 to 40 minutes on your comuter to Sacramento?

Should Solid Berms Be Allowed

The Town Council is reviewing the fence ordinance. Do you favor keeping open fences along the front proptery lines in Loomis ie. fences no more than three feet tall or open fences like a 3 rail fence if taller?
What do you think about solid fences and Earth berms 6 ft high along the streets like on BArton Road?

Loomis Chamber Office

The chamber of commerce office is complete. They plan on moving in in November. A big thanks to High Hand Nursery for the great landscaping

Down town Development

A couple of points on downtown development.
Loomis has no redevelopment agency. Why not? Good question. Every time I bring it up no other council member favors it. A redevelopment agency would give the town money to do improvements in that area.
The position by most of the council has been that economic development is a function of the Chamber of Commerce and not the Town Council. I disagree. I asked that a new downtown development plan be done so we would have a road map as what to do. No action by the council.
Many of you have good ideas on what the downtown needs. COME TO A COUNCIL MEETING AND EXPRESS THEM.

New Development Plans Unveiled

At a join Town Council and Planning Commission meeting the plans for the Loomis Market Place and the Loomis Village was presented to about 100 people who were i nattendance.
The Loomis Market Place is located on the East side of IS80. The plan calls for retail sales,resturants, gas stations and two motels.

The Loomis Village is behind Raley's and is a mixed use development. It call for residential(about 480 homes, offices, a senior housing unit and 45,000 feet of retail sales.

The Council voted 5-0 to proceed with the planning process for these two projects. The planning process will take about two years to complete.

Lights at Horseshoe BAr and Taylor Road

When the orginal white bulbs burned out over a years ago I brought it to the attention of ther Town staff. It took several months but the bulbs were replaced. One problem was that they ordered sodium vapors light which give off a yellow color and are not very bright. Four months ago I was told new white bulbs were ordered, Today I found out that the wrong bulbs were ordered and now a new order had to be placed. When the bulbs come in we will have again the brighter light so yo ucan see the intersection

Taylor Road improvements

The town has been trying to buy additional land behind the stores on Taylor Road from Union Pacific. This land would be used for additional aprking, a downtown park and possibility a location for new stores. Today I attended a mettin gwith a represenative of PG&E to discuss the moving of the power lines off of TAylor and next to the railroad tracks. For many years Union PAcific has not been responsive to Loomis's desire to purchase land to improve the downtown. Hopefully they will agree to a resonable price in the near future.
I am workingwith members of the Chamber of Commerce on developing programs that wil lbring more shoppers into downtown Loomis, Some of the merchants such as High Hand Nersery and the produce market at the Blue Goose shed are developing some of these programs to attract more shoppers. I wil lcontinue to work with our merchants i nthis matter. Some of the suggestions are directional signs to downtown. A marketing program based on the theme "back to the 40"s" and other ifeas. Do you have any ideas?

Council Approves Depot Restoration

Last night at the Loomis Town Council meeting the council voted 5-0 to replace the existing depot with a replica. In the project all usable items from the old depot will be used in the reconstruction. It is hoped that the project wil lbegin in the Spring of 2008.

YOUR IDEAS WANTED

I really want to hear your ideas on how to improve Loomis. Do you want more shopping opportunities,better traffic enforcement, parks, etc. I have heard about the fact that noting is being done, Now is your chance to speak up.

Fire District Votes for Benifit Assement Vote

The Loomis Fire District Board of Directors voted to begin the process to have a benifit assement vote for additional funding in order to keep the Loomis Fire District open. More information as it becomes known.

Dissatisfied? Then run for the Council

If you are dissatisfied with the Town leadership then I would suggest that you run for the Town Council. The next election will be in November 2008.

Thanks for the Help

I want to thank the person who catches my spelling errors. My mind goes faster than my fingers type. A thinker I am, a speller i am not. Thanks
Miguel

Downtown Center Plan Proposed

Todd Lowell has submitted his downtown center plan for consideration by the Town of Loomis. This plan covers the proptery from Horsebar Road behind Raley's, the Memorial Hall to Laird Street The proptery is about 60 acreas and was formerly owned by the Gates Family. The downtown center was orginally in the Loomis Plan when Loomis was part of the County over 25 years ago. About 15 years ago the Town Developed a updated downtown plan which showed this area as a village. Todd''s plan cause for a variety of uses, In his plan retail,offices. homes and community spaces are proposed, His plan follows the Sacramneto COuncil of Goverments "smart growth" planning whre every thing is within walking distance and people do not have to rely on thier auto. A lenght review process by the Town is the next step. Upon approval it is hope that construction may begin in sround 2 years.

Planning Commission Approval of Homewood Upheld

On July 11th The Loomis Town Council upheld the Planning Commission decision to approve the tenative map for the Homewood Lumber Store at Brace and Sierra College Blvd. The vote was taken after a three hours meeting where comments from the public were heard as well as the items contained in the seven appeals which were filed, Some modifactions to the condtions of approval were made. by the Town Council.

Loomis Is Incorporated

New Homes In Loomis

The following are the project that are planned for Loomis. Some will occure in two years others may take up to 5 years to do. All these are in the current General Plan. That is the reason I felt it was not necessary to update the General Plan at this time. Here are some of the projects: Monserat 60 5 acre homes on BArton Road Orchard Place 50 homes on Taylor Road at the Alice Fruit Stand Taylor Road by KOA campground 50 homes plus 10 carriage houses End of Walnut 50 homes Behind RAley's 200-250 homes Dunsomore Development 40 homes off Humphrey by No Name So in the next 5 years or so Loomis will add around 450 homes if the housing market here remains good. These homes are for the most part all i nthe downtown core or are 5 acre parcels. This will maintain the nature of Loomis and give us a live downtown

Parks in Loomis

Loomis collects a park fee from ever new home in Loomis. The past policy has been to use this money at school sites. Funds has been used at Powers and Loomis elementary schools to improve the outdoor recreation facilities there. With over 400 new home planned for Loomis in the next 5 to 10 years the town will have over 1,5 million to spend on parks.

Loomis Business

Some of the members of the Town Council have shown little intrest in attracting business to Loomis. While they all say"we need more business" they do nothing. I suggested a downtown business plan be done to show what needs to be done to attact business but that idea fell on deaf ears. When I suggested a business committee they said that we have a Chamber of Commerce to do that. For several years I suggested a sign on the freeway to attract motorist to downtown, Again no support. We need a council that wants to help develop business i nLoomis and is willing to put out the effort.;

Tern Limits

I did respond to this question on the other Loomis web site. Term limits in a small town like Loomis serve no purpose. Few people ever choose to run for the Town Council in the first place. Term limits would not allowed council members wit hexperience to run after a few terms. If a qualified candidate want to run they can and le tthe voters determine if they should be elected. An election is coming up next year, I hope that several people choose to run

About Downtown

For years I have tried to work on projects that helped the downtown. Loomis ahd the first Farmer's Market. The Train Depot has a lot of special events. The Summer Concerts brings people. These are all things I have worked on. I have asked the Town Council to consider a plan to revitilized downtown but they show little intrest. If you are concerned either write or contact the other Council people with your concerns.

NEED YOUR HELP

I would love to get more input from the people of Loomis. If you ahve friends that yo ucan send this site to I would appreciate it Miguel

How much should be spent in 2008

The Loomis Town Council is looking at adding some new things to the budget. This current year we have about $130,000 surplus. Some of the proposals for next year are Funding of Fire District $350,000 Add a zoning enforecemt person $ 75,000 A New General Plan $ 150,000 Redure part of a road 80.000 Total New Programs $630,000 for 2008 This means the town would have to take $500,000 out of the 2.5 million reserved fund. The reserve fund would only last for another 4 years then the Town would have to cut stuff. As far as a new General Plan my feeling is we do not need it at this time. People in Loomis do not want the Town to change so there is no need to rezone the Town Thw $350,000 for the Fire District is because they are going broke and are looking to the Town to help them out. The only problem is that idf the Town helps them , then in about 4 years both the Fire District and the Town will go broke. The only way to slove the fire district is the people of Loomis vote for an additional tax assement for the fire district. Let me know what you think Thanks Miguel

Whata do you think

The Loomis Town Council is workin gon the 2007 -08 budget. Here are some of the projects they are considering: Restore the train depot Purchase the Union Pacific Land behind Taylor Road Look into moderate housing for Loomis Do you have any Idea? Let me know Miguel

Traffic Control Device

See the new traffic control device the Town has purchased? It will be placed in various location to show morotists how fast they are going and the posted speed limit What do you think?

Senior Services in Loomis

Did you know the following sevices are offered for seniors in Loomis? The senior life center at the Methodist Church on Brace . Meets on Tuesday and Thursday from 10 am to 2 pm. Afull list of activities are offered. Senior Handy man service. Provides fix up services to seniors for minor repairs. Contact Town HAll at 652-1840 for additional info

Budget Time

April is the month the Loomis Town Council will be considering projects and programs for the 2007-08 buget. At it's last meetin gthe Council designate the reconstruction of the train depot as a project for next year. Some of the other possible projects include: a community survey to see what the people think of land planning and services in Loomis, minor updates to the general plan, help save the fire district,buy land from Union Pacific behind Taylor Road, DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS FOR THE 07 -08 BUDGET? LET ME KNOW EITHER HERE OR AT UCOVICH@HOTMAIL.COM

Train Depot

At thier March meeting ,the Loomis Town Council established the restoration of the Train Depot as a project for the 2007-08 work program. A set of plans has been prepared and the Town has grant money to begin the project.

Emergency Fair Held

On Saturday March 17 an Emergency FAir was Held at the LDS Church on Margret Street. The Fair showed you how to prepare for a disaster and how to avoid problem situations, The fire department, P.G&E, Highway Patrol, and other organizations were present, Did you attend? How did you like it?

Downtown Loomis Is BEst

Downtown Loomis is rated one of the Best palces to live by the Sacramento Magazine. You can pick-up a copy at RAley's. Loomis joins a group whick incluses Land Park and Curtis Park as the best neighboorhood in Sacramento

Parks in Loomis

Ever new home in Loomis pays a park fee. Currently this is about $4,000 per house. By law this money must be used to provide parks for the new residents. The money cannot be used for any other purpose.

Question and Answers

If you have a question or problem that you would like me to look into I would appreciate you calling me at home at 652-0956 or E mailing me at ucovich@hotmail.com.
In this manner I can get back to you or obtain additional information that I may need,
Miguel

Chamber Office is in Progress

The new Chamber of Commerce Building Nears Completion. The roof has been added and now the parking and landscape is next to be done, Great job Chamber and Doupnik Mgf.

Loomis Train Depot

The Loomis Train Depot

Farmers Market

What do you think about the Farmers Market comming back to Loomis? 20 years ago I helped get the first farmer's market. I twas in the old shed in Loomis. After 2 years it left. Now we have a chance to get a Farmer's Market back. Would you prefer a weekday from 4pm to 7pm or a Sunday from 11am to 2 pm? What do you think?

Does Loomis Need More Places to Shop

What are your feeling about more places to shop and eat in Loomis? What kind of stores would you like to see? Drop me a line and let me know

My goal is to make Loomis the best place to live