Northbay Uprising - Information for the liberated zones of the San Pablo Bay

2011-06-29 "Vallejo could get major makeover" by Jessica A. York from "Vallejo Times-Herald" newspaper
Several Vallejo nonprofit agencies are joining forces next month to try to improve the city's external image.
In a joint presentation by Fighting Back Partnership, Rebuilding Together and Vallejo Outreach at Tuesday's Vallejo City Council meeting, the public was given a preview of the upcoming "A Call to Change Vallejo."
The July 16 event will pull together efforts that each nonprofit has already engaged in during past years.
All three groups are seeking more volunteers.
There will be graffiti paint-outs, neighborhood and park cleanups, senior home rehabilitation and a waterfront outreach providing entertainment, professional referrals, health screenings and food, among other attractions.
Several weighty and controversial city decisions were scheduled for later in Tuesday's meeting, including discussions on the proposed November ballot measure hiking the city sales tax by 1 percent, a potential medical marijuana business tax ballot measure and a Solano County Fairgrounds project viability update. But they were not completed by press time Tuesday.
Much of the council's focus early in the meeting was spent on public and council comments on smaller items. Resident Bob Schussel, foreseeing a potentially lengthy meeting, asked the council to peel off non-urgent items for a later meeting, to no avail.
Just prior to press time, the council and the public entered into lengthy discussion during a public hearing about Klein Financial Corporation's proposed purchase and renovations of the Sonoma Apartments. The public hearing is required by the company to gain public comment prior to the new developer seeking state multifamily housing revenue bonds to pay for the project.
While the city will have no liability in the project, the proposed project's continued property tax exemption and 40-percent, low-income housing requirements prompted concerns from some members of the community and council. A contractor pledged a new community center with resident programming, 24-hour security and a significant property makeover.
For more information, including how to get involved, visit the groups' Facebook event page. [http://www.facebook.com/timesherald#!/event.php?eid=206673766041609]