CALIFORNIA MARINE SPORTS TO LOCATE IN SUISUN CITY

COMPANY TO PROVIDE BOAT SALES AND SERVICE IN THE WATERFRONT DISTRICT

SUISUN CITY — California Marine Sports, Inc. will open a boat sales and service operation in the marine services facility by mid-April near the public boat launch at 1240 Kellogg Street, under a lease agreement signed today.

“California Marine Sports is a great local company that will bring important vibrancy and activity to the Waterfront District at this very key time,” City Manager Suzanne Bragdon said. “The Waterfront District is truly coming to life as a regional destination and key economic engine for Suisun City.”

California Marine Sports (CMS), a successful family-based marine operator with an existing dealership and service location near the I-80/I-680 interchange in Cordelia, will offer five boat lines for sale in the 10,500 square-foot marine retail and showroom building while operating the four-bay marine service facility.

“The CMS team is very excited about building a thriving boating hub at Suisun City Marina, as well as the opportunity to partner with the City, local businesses and the community to shine a light on the gem we see in Suisun City,” Partner and General Manager Grant Fulford said.

In the future, the company plans for other marine-related services and retail items to support boaters leasing slip space or just visiting for the day, including cutting-edge, zero-emissions vehicles that protect the environment while allowing people to enjoy boating.

A five-year lease for the marine facility at Kellogg and Walnut Streets was unanimously authorized on March 20 by the City Council, sitting at the Redevelopment Agency board. Lease terms include three five-year options to extend the lease and an option for California Marine Sports to purchase the property.

Providing marine services for boats using the Suisun City Marina is an essential element in maintaining a successful and vibrant marina.

ABOUT CALIFORNIA MARINE SPORTS, INC.

Partner and General Manager Grant Fulford and his son, Chad, built the CMS boat service business from a small operation in Petaluma, Calif., into one of the country’s premier marine service centers. Fulford moved his service center to Fairfield due to the growing number of customers from the area.

CMS is a proven marine dealership group with a service-based business model, customer satisfaction index scores among the highest in the country and a loyal customer base supporting the expansion of CMS sales and service operations during these challenging economic times. Quality also is apparent in the CMS product line, which includes Nautiques by Correct Craft, Ski Centurion, Pro-Line, Regal and Blue Water.

The CMS corporate motto is “Leading the way to boating fun!” To the Fulford and Shackford families, which own and operate the company, having fun while boating is a way of life. “Leadership is more than the number of sales. We believe in stewardship, building community and creating a clear path to enjoy more of life,” Fulford said.

One of Fulford’s talents and clear successes is the formulation of a well-balanced and seasoned team. “We really take pride in each of our team members offering world-class service and being able to serve our clients regardless of title or role in the business,” Partner and Business Manager Tammy Fulford said. “The cornerstones of our business model are pretty simple: Have faith, offer great service to all, create good will and give back to the community. It’s our recipe for success.”

“We believe in treating people the way we would want to be treated, as well as an overarching faith in good business practices,” said John and Holly Shackford, CMS Partners and boating lifestyle professionals.

John and Holly are real estate and appraisal professionals as well whose leadership was key in the Suisun City Marina deal. They contribute a high level of expertise in business development and client management to the family team.

Sales Manager Brandon “The Boat Guy” Barrett grew up boating with experience in the tournament community, and brings 20 years of dealership management experience to this Suisun City opportunity.

“The support of the City of Suisun City has been as refreshing as the spring boating season,” said Barrett, who manages sales at both CMS locations. “This waterfront location really completes the foundation to achieve our goals of providing world-class marine sales and service for the boating community and offering a fun, courteous and professional experience.”

CMS offers one of the best sales and service experiences in the country led by Pro-Shop and Parts Manager Richard Derfuss, who has serviced the Solano County boating community for more than eight years.

“Boating is in my blood,” Derfuss said. “Our willingness to help in any way we can has been a perfect fit for my personal values. Each of us offers a piece to the service puzzle. From boarding and surfing to fishing and skiing or just general fun and safety on the water – one of us will know how to take care of you.”

New Street Signs Upgrade Every Suisun City Neighborhood

DISTINCTIVE SIGNS IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY & NAVIGATION

SUISUN CITY — Public Works crews are installing thousands of new street name signs on literally every street corner in Suisun City to significantly upgrade the appearance of the entire community and improve public safety.

The new signs were specifically designed to be highly visible particularly at night to provide consistent landmarks for police units and fire crews responding to calls for emergency assistance.

The variety of street name signs across various neighborhoods in the City will be replaced in the next few months with a larger, distinctive blue reflective sign style that will enable residents and visitors to easily navigate the City.

“This is a major community enhancement with significant benefits to the public safety response for Suisun City residents,” said Public Works Director Fernando Bravo. “This type of infrastructure upgrade has very positive impacts on how people move around the city and respond to Suisun City.”

City officials highlighted the need to replace all the City’s street name signs after repeated resident complaints about signs that were missing, damaged or faded to the point of being illegible.

Because the old signs were installed as subdivisions were built over several decades, the street signs were in a variety of sizes and designs making them difficult to recognize and follow.

The new signs were designed to not only be highly functional but provide an immediate and uniform symbol to residents and visitors alike that they are in Suisun City. Emblazoned with a schooner sailing on a blue background, the signs establish a clear identity for the community.

The street signs project was funded through a $125,000 state Workforce Housing Grant.

INSTALLATION SCHEDULE

Signs will be installed in 6 phases, as follows:

• Quail Glen – end of February
• Dover Terrace – first two weeks of March
• California Tapestry/Heritage Park– second two weeks of March
• Waterfront District – First two weeks of April
• Lawler Ranch – second two weeks of April
• Montebello Vista/Peterson Ranch – first two weeks of May.

Although sections may be completed, staff will evaluate each street again to make sure all street signs were replaced. All street signs should be replaced by the end of May.

SALE OF OLD STREET SIGNS

The Public Works Department will sell the old street signs that are being removed. This is intended to be a fun opportunity for residents to show their support for their community.

Two of each street name sign will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis at a City-run booth at the Junefest event on June 7 at Harbor Plaza for approximately $10 each. Proceeds will be deposited in the Public Works street maintenance fund.

Those interested in purchasing a sign are encouraged to visit www.suisun.com/signs for more information.

City Council Approves $1.2 million Streets Program

The City Council unanimously approved a $1.2 million street improvement program that will resurface 34 of the City's worst rated streets this summer.

The Public Works Department will use a new process that is significantly less expensive and more durable than traditional asphalt overlays to perform the work across the City. Officials targetted the streets with the lowest surface quality ratings - from 0 to 25 - to upgrade those streets in most serious need.

The resurfacing process uses recycled tires combined with a thinner layer of asphalt to create a water-tight, flexible and durable surface.

>>Click here for more on this expansive new program>>

Suisun City Council Served Recall Notices

Mayor Pete Sanchez and City Councilmembers Jane Day and Mike Hudson were served recall papers during the public comment period of Tuesday's City Council meeting.

Though many reasons were offered for the recall move, the main reason was the City Council's unanimous approval in February of the Wal-Mart Supercenter at Highway 12 and Walters Road.

The service of notice to the council members action sets in motion a process - proscribed in state law - as to how a recall effort is to be conducted. In summary, the proponents must collect sufficient signatures from registered voters living in Suisun City on a petition to qualify the issue for the ballot. Once those signatures are verified by the Solano County Registrar of Voters, the City Council is required to set the matter for an election within a specific period of time.

A special election would cost the City about $150,000 to conduct. Depending on the pace of the petition process, the matter may qualify for the November general election ballot.

The recall effort is getting wide media attention in the Daily Republic, Vacaville Reporter and ABC affiliate News 10.

Suisun City to dredge silt from waterway

By Ian Thompson

SUISUN CITY - The accumulation of silt that has bedeviled larger boats in the Suisun City Marina and in Whispering Bay will be dredged this fall, according to Suisun City's public works and recreation departments.

That is good news to larger boat owners such as Don Sefcik, who now has to wait for the tide to rise to tie up his boat near the Solano Yacht Club.

Sefcik recently attempted to berth his vessel during low tide only to discover 3 feet from the dock 'that the keel was in the mud and I had to wait for three hours until the tide went up.'

Buoys set out by the harbor master mark off the worst spots, and 'you are pretty safe if you stay in the center,' Sefick said.

To see the complete article, visit the Daily Republic website.

Capitol Corridor hits record high ridership

Suisun City is proud to be Solano County's link to the San Francisco-Sacramento Megaregion via the Capitol Corridor commuter train.

The Capitol Corridor just reported a record-setting ridership of 1,523,630 riders from February 2007 to February 2008!

You can catch one of the 32 daily Capitol Corridor passenger trains going right through Suisun City's Waterfront District from our fully restored historic train station on Main Street.

Park right across the street all day for free, grab a cup o' joe from El Capitan Coffee Co. right in the station and you are on your way!

Check out what the Sacramento Business Journal had to say about the terrific increase in ridership!

A chance to enjoy spring

From Vacaville Reporter

Enjoy a beautiful spring walk among the wildflowers and other plants at Rush Ranch beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday April 5.

Docent, Don Taynton, will be your host during the free walk which will last approximately two hours. You can enjoy the beauty of the many plants while learning about them. You'll also be learning about the Suisun Marsh and some history of Rush Ranch.

Wear comfortable walking shoes, for a leisurely walk over easy terrain. Rain cancels the event.

Rush Ranch is located about 2 1/4 miles south of Highway 12 on Grizzly Island Road near Suisun City. Grizzly Island Road is opposite McDonald's restaurant at the Sunset Avenue and Highway 12 intersection.

For more information, call 425-3706 or 422- 4491, or go online to www.rushranch.org.

Mayor wants Suisun City Hall open on Friday

By Ian Thompson

SUISUN CITY - Mayor Pete Sanchez would like City Hall to open again on Friday so residents can conduct business such as paying water bills.

That is one of the ideas to change City Hall hours that Suisun City management is now discussing with city employees before bringing the subject back to the City Council in April.

Officials closed City Hall on Friday in 2006 as a benefit to city employees who had gone without raises as their part in helping keep the city's budget balanced.

Sanchez broached his proposal at a recent goal-setting session.

For the full article, please visit the Daily Republic website.

Suisun City police address evidence issues

By Audrey Wong

SUISUN CITY - Police Chief Ed Dadisho has requested a state agency evaluate his department's evidence room policies after he learned of two cases in which evidence was prematurely purged.

The evidence destruction, which occurred in 2006, didn't jeopardize the cases, Dadisho said. The chief wrote a letter to Police Officer Standards and Training in February to request an audit of the evidence room. Police will act on any recommendations POST representatives make.

POST representatives will probably meet with Suisun City police in late April, POST spokesman Bob Stresak said.

For the full article, please check the Daily Republic website.

$1.2 MILLION PROGRAM TO ADDRESS WORST STREETS

CITY COUNCIL STRESSED NEED TO FIND BETTER WAY TO ADDRESS STREET CHALLENGES

SUISUN CITY — An innovative $1.2 million solution to the daunting challenge of repairing and preserving City streets will come before the City Council on Tuesday after staff was directed to find a better way to repair failing streets more quickly.

Public Works Director Fernando Bravo recommends the City start using a pavement system that is about a tenth of the cost of traditional asphalt treatments, while at the same time diverting thousands of waste tires from California’s waste stream.

The process, known as Asphalt Rubber Cape Seal, or ARCS, can add 10 to 15 years of life to severely distressed streets, even those street segments with lots of alligator cracks, at a cost much lower than traditional grind and overlay methods for a similar road life.

Rather than relying on a layer of asphalt that dries and cracks over time, the ARCS system uses a liquid binder made from recycled tires mixed with asphalt aggregate to create a durable and waterproof but flexible road surface that resists degradation over the long run.

Working in partnership with the Suisun-Solano Water Agency, the City plans to spend $1.16 million to resurface 34 of the City’s worst street segments.

To illustrate the ARCS system’s cost effectiveness, consider this example:

• Using traditional methods, the City could grind down the surface of 4 street segments and apply a 2-inch asphalt overlay – improving about 120,903-square-feet for roadway – for about $824,000.


• For the same money, the City can resurface 22 of the City’s worst street segments – improving about 1.06 million square-feet of roadway – using the ARCS system.

“This technology allows us to use the money we have to seriously upgrade our worst streets very quickly,” City Manager Suzanne Bragdon said. “It also allows us to accelerate the reconstruction of our streets in the most desperate need. Plus, we help address one of California’s toughest environmental problems: disposal of discarded vehicle tires.”

The aggressive expansion of the street repaving program follows the 70 street segments slurry sealed in 2007, as were the more comprehensive repairs to Chipman Lane and Suisun Street.

The ARCS process also will enable the City and the Suisun-Solano Water Agency to quadruple the street segments upgraded through their unique water service upgrade partnership. Suisun City and SSWA have coordinated street resurfacing with the upgraded water service connections being installed across the City. As SSWA replaced aging service mains, the City would resurface the roadway at thesame time to maximize the benefit of each agency’s expenditures.

The City and SSWA had planned to resurface 3 street segments and replace 63 water services this year through this partnership. Using ARCS, the City and SSWA will be able to resurface 12 street segments and replace 200 water services for the same cost.

Public Works plans an aggressive road resurfacing program this summer targeting most of the streets with a Pavement Condition Index rating of 0-25, the lowest possible on the scale. Those streets include segments of:

• Bald Pate Drive
• Barrows Drive
• Bering Way
• Canary Drive
• Gadwall Drive
• Golden Eye Way
• Green Wing Drive
• Humphrey Drive
• Javan Way
• Klamath Way
• Lassen Avenue
• Marcia Lane
• Pelican Way
• Ringneck Lane
• Scaup Lane
• Scoter Way
• Shoveller Drive
• Spring Street
• Tree Duck Way
• Wigeon Way
• Wesley Avenue
• Worley Road

The streets to benefit from the City/SSWA partnership include:

• Coral Lane
• Greylag Drive
• Hummingbird Lane
• Nadel Drive
• Pheasant Drive
• Pochard Way
• Red Head Lane
• Rio Verde
• Ruddy Lane
• Seagull Drive
• Whooper Way
• Woodlark Drive

The Suisun City Council will consider approving the staff recommendation at its regular meeting on Tuesday, March 18.

Suisun City's Wednesday Club offers several scholarships

From the Vacaville Reporter

The Wednesday Club of Suisun City is seeking qualified students to audition for two $500 music scholarships which the club presents each year.

The students must be a graduating high school senior planning to major in music. They also must reside in the Fairfield-Suisun area.

Students are required to be prepared to perform two selections. Any accompaniment necessary will be at the expense of the applicant. Applications must submitted by April 1.

Auditions will be held at The Wednesday Club at 4 p.m. May 1. The Wednesday Club is located at 225 Sacramento St., Suisun City.

The Anna Kyle-Isla Wright Music Scholarship has been presented for many years. Anna Kyle was a Solano County music teacher and an active Wednesday Club member. Isla Wright was Anna Kyle's cousin.

Kyle started the original Music Scholarship in memory of Isla Wright. Caroline Covey is a Fairfield area piano teacher and violinist who has also been a Wednesday Club member for many years. She was the founder and director of the choral group, The Dulcetones.

Scholarship awards will be made at the June 11 meeting of The Wednesday Club.

Applications are available at all area high schools.

For further information, call Caroline Covey at 425-0427 or Jacklyn Warner at 425-0846.

Citizens group files suit to stop Wal-Mart

By Ian Thompson

SUISUN CITY - The Suisun Alliance on Thursday filed a lawsuit to overturn the City Council's approval last month of a Wal-Mart Supercenter in eastern Suisun City.

The lawsuit also seeks a retraining order to stop any work on the 227,000-square-foot retail and grocery center at Walters Road and Highway 12, according to the document filed with the Solano County courts.

Suisun City Mayor Pete Sanchez called the development unsurprising and anticlimactic.

"We never entertained any thought that this was going to be a breeze," Sanchez said. "It will delay this project a few months, but we are very confident that we have covered all the bases and that our final Environmental Impact Report will hold its own in court."

For the complete article, go to the Daily Republic web site.

Dinner & a Movie: The Sandlot

The Suisun City Recreation & Community Services Department is proud to present "The Sandlot," (Rated: PG; 20th Century Fox) as a Dinner & a Movie event on Friday March 28 at the Nelson Center, 611 Village Drive

This event is perfect for the entire family, though children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.

Doors open at 6:45 p.m. with the movie rolling at 7 p.m.

The $3 admission per person includes a hot dog, drink, popcorn and frozen dessert. Additional snacks may be purchased for 50 cents per item.

For more information, call 421-7200.

Developer has big plans for Marina Shopping Center

Pellarin Enterprises has purchased the Marina Center and is planning to renovate Suisun City's oldest shopping center. Some initial design concepts were discussed initially with the City Planning Commission on Tuesday night.

No application has been filed with the City. However, the developer is seeking tenants for this exciting new project near the Suisun City Waterfront District.

If you are interested in more information about the project, contact Craig Burress aith CB Richard Ellis at craig.burress@cbbre.com or 916-446-8299.

Here's some of what the Daily Republic newspaper is reporting about this project.

By Ian Thompson

SUISUN CITY - The Marina Shopping Center, Suisun City's oldest shopping center, may soon undergo a rebirth that involves extensive renovation and construction.

Redwood City-based Pellarin Enterprises unveiled what it would like to do with the aging, half-vacant shopping center to the Suisun City Planning Commission Tuesday night.


Claude Pellarin and Suisun City Community Development Director Heather McCollister stressed the proposed layout and artist's renderings shown to the commission were conceptual designs.

The extent of the renovation will depend on what tenants he can attract to fill the center, Pellarin said. He and his brother, Aaron Pellarin, plan to do the work in phases so they can work with and move existing tenants as the project develops.

For the full article, visit the Daily Republic website.

Calling all kayakers!

Check out this new site just for local kayaking enthusiasts - Suisunkayakers.com.

It's a great new site just for people who love to explore the Suisun Marsh by kayak, whether for fun or fitness.

Good luck on this new site. We'll check in from time to time to see how things are going!

If you know of a local blog or website you'd like to share with us, drop an e-mail or leave a comment.

Citizens group threatens suit over Wal-Mart

By Carol Bogart

SUISUN CITY - A citizens group opposed to the Wal-Mart Supercenter has engaged a Sacramento law firm to challenge the Suisun City Council's approval of the project last month.

In a letter faxed to Suisun City Mayor Pete Sanchez, the City Council and City Clerk Linda Hobson, the law firm of Kenyon Yeates warned that the Suisun Alliance will file a lawsuit unless the City Council rescinds its approval of the project or proposes alternative settlement terms.

The letter stated that the action will commence 'on or about March 13.'

For the full article, visit the Daily Republic website.

Code-Kid program recognizes efforts of youth

By Audrey Wong

SUISUN CITY - Shawna McPherson, 10, didn't realize she was making a good impression as she wrapped gifts for her parents outside in the cold last year.

An organizer of Code-Kid was impressed by Shawna's efforts and selected her the nonprofit group's first Suisun Youth Ambassador in January for having a good attitude.

The Crescent Elementary School student received a plaque, $50 and a wallet. Shawna said the recognition was exciting.

• Who: Code-Kid
• What: Nonprofit group to help law enforcement and the community
• Info: 971-9091 or CodeKidSolano@aol.com
• Fax: 448-8525

For the full article, visit the Daily Republic website.

Suisun City vets building committee considers stricter rules

By Carol Bogart

SUISUN CITY - A fatal shooting outside the Suisun Veterans Memorial Building on Feb. 9 has prompted the committee that oversees building operations to consider changes in how it rents out the hall.

The Suisun Veterans Memorial Building committee is revisiting its rental rules and regulations in response to the death of an 18-year-old Vallejo resident.

The shooting occurred after an altercation inside the hall at 427 Main St. as a party was in progress, building manager Sally Magee said.

For the complete article, visit the Daily Republic web site.