Daily Business Report-Oct. 10, 2013
Gov. Jerry Brown to Sign Veteran Housing
and Homeless Prevention Act in San Diego
Gov. Jerry Brown was scheduled to be in San Diego today to sign legislation that could lead to better housing opportunities for the state’s military veterans. Brown will sign the Veterans Housing and Homeless Prevention Bond Act of 2014 at Veterans Village of San Diego, a shelter for former members of the armed forces who are living on the streets.
The bill authorizes a June ballot measure that will allow voters to decide whether to take the remaining $600 million authorized by a bond act in 2008 and redirect it to build affordable multi-family housing for veterans. The 2008 ballot measure enabled veterans to purchase single-family homes, farms and mobile homes through the CalVet Home Loan Program. The recent recession and shakeup of the housing market, plus changing demographics for veterans, has rendered the program ineffective, according to text of the bill.
The bill was co-authored by Assembly Majority Leader Toni Atkins, D-San Diego. Other listed co-authors include Sens. Marty Block, D-Lemon Grove, Ben Hueso, D-San Diego, and Mark Wyland, R-Carlsbad, along with Assemblyman Brian Maienschein, R-San Diego.
Marine Corps to Reduce Presence in San Diego
The Marine Corps expects to reduce its presence in San Diego County by about 6,000 active-duty personnel and 7,800 family members over the next few years, a San Diego City Council member said Wednesday, City News Service reports. The comment by Councilman Mark Kersey came during a presentation to the panel’s Rules and Economic Development Committee on the military’s economic impact on the region. Kersey said he met with Gen. James Amos, the Marine Corps commandant, during a recent visit to Washington, D.C., that was led by the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Amos wasn’t worried about future base closures, but said attrition and slower recruiting was going to result in lowered numbers in San Diego, according to the councilman. The reductions would come even as the military turns its focus towards the Pacific Rim. “Obviously, the impact of these cuts is going to be severe, in the hundreds of millions of dollars over the next decade,” Kersey said.
Police Department Attrition Rate Lowers,
Department Still Struggles With Staff Shortage
City News Service — The attrition rate of officers in the San Diego Police Department has been lowered to eight per month, but the agency is still struggling to build up its ranks, Assistant Chief Shelley Zimmerman said Wednesday. In a report to the City Council’s Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee, Zimmerman said the attrition rate is down from 10 per month, despite the loss of 30 officers and 14 recruits since the beginning of the fiscal year on July 1. The SDPD is budgeted for 1,977 officers, and employs 1,841 — with 82 of those in field training or academies, she said.
The City Council this fall will take a fresh look at the pay and benefits given to officers, according to committee Chairwoman Marti Emerald.
Governor Expands Types of Providers Who Can do Abortions
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation Wednesday expanding the type of medical providers who can perform abortions in California, the Sacramento Bee reports. Assembly Bill 154, by Assemblywoman Toni Atkins(D-San Diego)’ will allow nurse practitioners, certified nurse-midwives and physician assistants to perform certain first-trimester abortions. Proponents of the bill, including Democrats in the state Legislature, said it will address a shortage of abortion providers and the need for women to travel long distances for the procedure. Republicans said it would lower the standard of care for women seeking abortions and put patients at risk.
North American Development Bank Finances Four New Solar Parks
The North American Development Bank closed four loan agreements totaling $50.8 million for the construction of four solar energy parks with a total generation capacity of 19.5 megawatts. The electricity generated by the projects will be purchased by San Diego Gas & Electric. Two of the projects with a generation capacity of 10.2 megawatts will be constructed on a 46-acre parcel of land in the unincorporated community of Valley Center, while the other two with a generation capacity of 9.3 megawatts will be built on a 45-acre parcel of land in the community of Ramona. Altogether, the solar parks are expected to generate sufficient electricity to power about 5,570 households.
County’s Investment Pool Gets Highest Rating from S&P
San Diego County government’s investment pool has received Standard and Poor’s highest credit rating for the 13th consecutive year, reports Treasurer-Tax Collector Dan McAllister. S&P assigned the investment pool AAAF (credit quality) and S1 (volatility) ratings. The county investment pool reached a record $7.4 billion earlier this year. Currently, more than 100 different local public agencies invest in the pool, including all 42 public school districts in the county, five community college districts, San Diego Regional Airport Authority, SANDAG, MTS and other public agencies, such as cities, fire, water and cemetery districts.
DMV Prepares for Immigrant Driver’s License Law
SACRAMENTO — The California Department of Motor Vehicles is preparing to process a million or more new driver’s license applications over the next year after the passage of a law allowing undocumented immigrants to get licenses, reports Capital Public Radio. Jan Mendoza with the DMV said the state might increase staffing, and is in the process of finding places to hold public hearings as regulations for determining identity and residency are developed. “We’re going to be identifying the documents that are going to be needed for folks that are going to be applying for these licenses,” Mendoza said. “Through the regulatory process we’re definitely going to be looking at how there going to be authenticated.”
The new law goes into effect Jan. 1, 2015.
Southwest Strategies Promotes Three Staff Members
Public affairs firm Southwest Strategies has promoted three of its staff members — Jessica Luternauer, Emily Fulkerson and Wesley Jones. Jessica Luternauer, who joined the firm in 2007, was promoted to director of public affairs. Her clients include San Diego Gas & Electric, Westfield and the San Diego Ship Repair Association. Luternauer holds a bachelor’s degree from UC Santa Barbara and a master’s degree from UC San Diego. Emily Fulkerson was promoted to manager of public affairs. She joined the firm in 2005 after working as a communications coordinator for a Fortune 500 company in San Diego. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Mt. Holyoke College. Fulkerson is a member of the board of directors of Move San Diego, a nonprofit organization championing sustainability. Wesley Jones was promoted to senior account executive. He joined the company in 2011. Jones holds a bachelor’s degree from Point Loma Nazarene University. He has worked on local political campaigns and interned with Koch Companies Public Sector LLC in Washington, D.C.
Spurlock Poirier Landscape Architects Adds Marketing Manager
NK Mbaya has joined Spurlock Poirier Landscape Architects as marketing manager. Mbaya has 13 years of experience and has worked for San Diego companies in the architectural, engineering and construction industry. She attended United States International University, both in Africa and the U.S., and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in international business administration. She is a member of the Society of Marketing Professionals and served on its board for six years. Mbaya serves on the board of the San Diego Post for the Society of American Military Engineers.
Federal Contracts
General Atomics
POWAY — General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. of Poway was awarded a $49,813,377 federal contract by the U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, for support services for France’s MQ-9 Reaper urgent request program.
Computer Sciences Corp.
SAN DIEGO — Computer Sciences Corp., San Diego, was awarded a $14,601,231 federal contract by the U.S. Marine Corps Command, Quantico, Va., for information technology services to support the Technology Services Organization’s requirements and its role as an enterprise business systems integrator for the Marine Corps.
R.Q. Construction Co.
CARLSBAD — R.Q. Construction Co. Inc. Carlsbad, was awarded a $13,986,000 federal contract by the U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, for the renovation of Buildings 320, 321 and 322 at Naval Amphibious Base. Place of performance will be in Coronado.
Cubic Defense Applications Inc.
SAN DIEGO — Cubic Defense Applications Inc., San Diego, was awarded a $12,575,953 federal contract by the U.S. Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Va., for the procurement of weapon instrumentation that will integrate into the Instrumented-Tactical Engagement Simulation System, Increment II baseline capabilities.
A&D G.C. Inc.
SANTEE — A&D G.C. Inc., Santee, was awarded a $11,398,000 federal contract by the U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, for the construction of an E-2D Aircrew Training Facility at Naval Base Ventura County. Place of performance will be in Point Mugu, Calif.
A&D G.C. Inc. was awarded a $7,514,000 federal contract by the U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, for the construction and repair of Building 237, King Hall Auditorium at the Naval Support Activity Monterey, Calif.
Job Options Inc.
SAN DIEGO — Job Options Inc., San Diego, was awarded a $9,997,362 federal contract by the U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, for custodial services at Naval Medical Center and various branch medical and dental clinics in Metro San Diego.
Soltek Pacific Construction Co.
SAN DIEGO — Soltek Pacific Construction Co. Inc., San Diego, was awarded a $7,894,300 federal contract by the U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, for the restoration and modernization of the existing spaces of the General Surgery Department in Building 3 at the Naval Medical Center San Diego.
BAE Systems
SAN DIEGO — BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair Inc., San Diego, was awarded a $7,799,275 federal contract by the Southwest Regional Maintenance Center, San Diego, for selected restricted availability for the USS Higgins.
R.E. Staite Engineering Inc.
SAN DIEGO — R.E. Staite Engineering Inc., San Diego, was awarded a $6,863,494 federal contract by the U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, for maintenance dredging at Mole Pier and Pier 8 at Naval Base San Diego.
RORE Inc.
SAN DIEGO — RORE Inc., San Diego, won a $323,475 federal contract from the U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Twentynine Palms, Calif., for the repair of wells.
