Daily Business Report — Dec. 31, 2009
Sustainability Workshops Set For Jan. 14
The Balboa Park Cultural Partnership will kick off the new year with a Jan. 14 program of workshops designed to educate businesses and the public about ways to make the park and local communities more environmentally sustainable. At an 8 a.m. breakfast, Councilman Todd Gloria will discuss priority projects in Balboa Park for 2010 and beyond. A morning workshop, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., is titled “Save Energy, Save Money” and is designed for owners of small and medium-sized organization. It will teach non-technical staff how to reduce energy costs and how to conduct an energy use survey.
An afternoon session, 12:15 to 3 p.m., is titled “Efficient Air Conditioning and Energy Management Systems,” will teach participants about energy efficiency features of small to medium-sized air conditioning systems.
The workshops, free to the public, will be in the World Beat Center at Balboa Park. The Balboa Park Cultural Partnership serves as the collaborative body and collective voice for 24 arts, science, and cultural institutions in Balboa Park.
Harbor Police Receives Grant for Livesaving Equipment
The San Diego County Law Enforcement Foundation has awarded the Harbor Police Department a grant for $2,985 to purchase lifesaving equipment. Equipment includes sprinkler door wedges, multiple use rescue tools and PowerFlare safety lights. The PowerFlares improve visibility during traffic control operations, increasing safety for both the police officers and the general public. Sprinkler door wedges are used during search and rescue operations to prop open doors, preventing first responders from becoming trapped. The rescue tools are routinely used during firefighting and rescue operations.
‘The firefighting rescue tools and electronic flares will enhance Harbor Police firefighting and public safety response capabilities,” said Capt. Don Claypool. “The flares are waterproof and can also be used enhance our dive rescue capabilities by allowing us to mark underwater locations during incidents and investigations. This equipment specifically supports first responder (police and fire) and citizen safety.”
Over the past five years, the Harbor Police Department has been awarded more than $15,000 in grant funds from the foundation. Past grants were used to purchase automated external defibrillators, diver’s life rafts and hands-free light emitting diode (LED) flashlights.
The San Diego County Law Enforcement Foundation is a nonprofit corporation that provides financial support to county-wide law enforcement agencies. The San Diego Harbor Police is the law enforcement arm of the Port of San Diego.
Zoo Project Completed by PCL Construction Services
PCL Construction Services has completed the Entry Enhancements Phase II project at the San Diego Zoo that consisted of extensive ADA pathway and parking improvements of more than 60,000 square feet. The project also included ADA restroom modifications, underground utility relocations and tree relocation and transplanting. In order to provide safe and unrestricted access to the zoo entrance, the project was completed in multiple phases.
The architect for the project was Ferguson Pape Baldwin Architects with Snipes-Dye Associates as the civil engineer. Major subcontractors included Askey Inc., American Asphalt and Concrete, H&D Construction, C.E. Wilson and Valley Crest Landscape Development. PCL’s project team included Project Manager Kevin Smart and Superintendent Jimmy Ramirez.
New Requirements for Accounting Firms in California
Beginning in January, accounting firms in California will be required to undergo peer review, Certified Public Accountants will take additional continuing education in ethics and consumers will be able to watch live Webcasts of California Board of Accountancy (CBA) meetings. The new laws are part of an effort to increase consumer protection and government transparency.
Under the peer review law, all California firms providing accounting and auditing services will be required to undergo a periodic peer review. Peer review is a systematic review of a firm’s accounting and auditing practice by an independent Certified Public Accountant to ensure work performed conforms to professional standards. The additional continuing education regulations focus on increased ethics, but also require California CPAs to take continuing education annually.
Manuel Ramirez, president of the CBA, said the regulation changes are part of an increased focus by the CBA on ethics and education, both as a way to increase consumer protection and restore public confidence.
The live Webcasts of CBA meetings will begin with the first meeting of the year, which will be held Jan. 20-21, 2010, in Irvine. The CBA president said the Webcasts will give both consumers and CBA licensees a “window” into important issues and how decisions are made. Information about upcoming CBA meetings and links to access the Webcasts will be available on the CBA’s Website: cba.ca.gov.
The Daily Business Report is produced by REP Publishing Inc., publisher of San Diego Metropolitan magazine and the North Park News.
