Daily Business Report-Jan. 21, 2015
Mesa College’s Allied Health Education and Training facility
Mira Costa and Mesa Colleges Chosen
To Offer Students Four-Year Degrees
Mira Costa College and Mesa College are among 15 community college campuses in California chosen to offer four-year degrees in specific programs under legislation authored by Sen. Marty Block (D-San Diego).
The colleges were selected by the California Community College Board of Governors and Community Colleges Chancellor Brice Harris.
Mira Costa College was chosen to offer degrees in bio-manufacturing and Mesa College was chosen to offer degrees in health information management.
The college districts may offer one baccalaureate degree each starting Jan.1 and ending on July 1, 2023.
Mesa College already offers an associate degree in Health Information Technology, and the college began to plan for a four-year program midway through 2014 as Senate Bill 850 which authorized the pilot program, gained momentum in the state Legislature. Gov. Jerry Brown signed the bill into law Sept. 28, 2014.
Applying colleges offered programs ranging from airframe manufacturing technology to other vocational programs such as dental hygiene, engineering technology, biomanufacturing and public safety administration. The career and vocational thrust of the pilot schools stays true to the community college mission of helping prepare California students for the work force.
Block said that the Public Policy Institute of California and California Competes report that the state needs 1 million more adults with four-year degrees by 2025. “SB 850 is the game changer that can help us meet that challenge,” the senator said. He added that more than 20 states, including New York and Florida, already allow community colleges to offer baccalaureate degrees.
“This is a major step in keeping California’s higher education system affordable and accessible while also keeping our state economically competitive in the future,” Block said.
SB 850 offers California students the ability to earn a degree in work force-critical areas for $10,000, a fraction of what it costs at private for-profit schools. “SB 850 students will really get a bang for their buck and will represent the diverse population of California’s community colleges, including returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan,” Block said. “All are needed to keep California competitive.”
The bachelor’s degree programs receiving initial approval are:
Airframe manufacturing technology, Antelope Valley College
Industrial Automation, Bakersfield College
Emergency Services and Allied Health Systems, Crafton Hills College
Mortuary Science, Cypress College
Equine Industry, Feather River College
Dental Hygiene, Foothill College
Dental Hygiene, West Los Angeles College
Bio-manufacturing, Mira Costa College
Respiratory Care, Modesto Junior College
Respiratory Care, Skyline College
Automotive Technology, Rio Hondo College
Health Information Management, Mesa College
Occupational Studies, Santa Ana College
Interaction Design, Santa Monica College
Health Information Management, Shasta College
Japan Selects RQ-4 Global Hawk
The Japan Ministry of Defense has selected Northrop Grumman’s RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aerial system along with the manned E-2D Advanced Hawkeye to improve its intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
Japan’s type selection of the Global Hawk identifies the capabilities and systems to be purchased to meet specific defense requirements. After selection, the U.S government will be asked to enter into a foreign military sale with Japan for the systems.
“Northrop Grumman has a long history working with Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force and we look forward to continuing that relationship for many years to come,” says Mary Pertyszyn, vice president for International, Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. “We are very pleased the Japan Ministry of Defense has expressed confidence in these systems and look forward to working with out U.S. military customers through the FMS process.”
Contract details were not available.
San Diego Short by $1.7 Billion
On Infrastructure Needs
The city’s long-awaited five-year plan to patch up San Diego’s infrastructure was released Tuesday, and it identifies $3.87 billion in needs but only $2.16 billion in available funding.
The plan, several years in the making, takes into account repairs of city streets, water and sewer pipelines, buildings and other facilities, but not policy-driven items like a new Chargers stadium or proposed expansion of the convention center.
“San Diego’s success depends on our ability to support neighborhoods with reliable infrastructure,” Mayor Kevin Faulconer said. “This long-range planning document gives us a comprehensive understanding of the city’s infrastructure needs like never before and a path forward to address critical neighborhood projects throughout the city.”
The plan is scheduled to be presented to the City Council’s Infrastructure Committee today.
“Infrastructure is the number one issue facing San Diego,” said Councilman Mark Kersey, the committee chairman. “Our residents want and deserve pothole-free streets, safe sidewalks and reasonable response time from our first responders. This new report is the most comprehensive analysis of the challenges we face.”
The largest of the big-ticket items listed in the report are $777 million over five years for stormwater improvements, $513.8 million over the same period for the sewer system and $415.5 million for road repairs — which Faulconer said last week will be his top priority.
The report also shows a five-year funding shortfall of $604 million for stormwater, $269 million for road repairs, about $225 million for street lights, $141 million for police and fire stations and other city buildings, $75 million to shore up bridges and $55 million for traffic signals.
In a memo to the City Council and the public, Faulconer said he will unveil proposals soon on ways to speed the capital improvement program, and strategy and funding ideas to improve road quality.
— City News Service
Western Indian Gaming Conference
Set for Feb. 10-12 in Valley Center
The California Nations Indian Gaming Association will hold its 20th annual Western Indian Gaming Conference on Feb. 10-12 at the Harrah’s Resort Southern California in Valley Center.
The Feb. 11 session will be a daylong conference that will include a variety of seminars on tribal-state gaming compacts, Internet poker, tax compacts, smoke-free tribal casinos, among others. The WIGC will also host a golf tournament at the Woods Valley Golf Club.
Participating in the conference’s regulatory panel will be representatives from the California Gambling Control Commission, the California Bureau of Gambling Control and Jonodev Osceola Chaudhuri, chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission.
Bo Mazzetti, chairman of the Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians, will receive the fifth annual Anna Sandoval Leadership Award.
Daniel J. Tucker, chairman at Sycuan Casino, is charman of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association.
10 Media Companies to Test Unmanned
Aerial Systems for News Gathering
A coalition of 10 news media companies announced a partnership with Virginia Tech, leader of the Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership Federal Aviation Administration-approved unmanned aerial systems test site, to test small UAS for newsgathering.
MAAP is one of six congressionally sanctioned test sites set up to aid the FAA in collecting data to formulate UAS regulations.
As part of the collaboration, the partners will conduct controlled safety testing of real-life news scenarios where unmanned aircraft can be used for reporting. The group has been working since mid-2014 through the law firm Holland & Knight to develop testing protocols with Virginia Tech.
According to a press release from Holland & Knight, the coalition includes the following media companies: Advance Publications Inc., A.H. Belo Corp., The Associated Press, Gannet Co. Inc., Getty Images (U.S.) Inc., NBC Universal, The New York Times Co., The E.W. Scripps Co., Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc. and The Washington Post.
“The AP is excited to join with these other leading media companies in exploring the safe and responsible use of drone technology for newsgathering purposes that further our understanding of current events,” says Associated Press Director of Photography Santiago Lyon.
“Virginia Tech sees this collaboration as a key to groundbreaking research to use UAS for the news and broadcasting industry on a routine basis,” says Rose Mooney, executive director of MAAP. “UAS can provide this industry a safe, efficient, timely, and affordable way to gather and disseminate information to keep journalists our of harm’s way.”
— AUVSI
Council Sets $1,100 Annual Fee
For Medical Marijuana Facilities
The San Diego City Council voted 8-1 Tuesday in favor of a package of amendments to medical marijuana regulations that, among other things, establishes a minimum fee of nearly $1,100 for annual operating permits.
The amendments pertain to an ordinance that sets the terms under which dispensaries will conduct their business. The operating regulations differ from land-use restrictions, which determine the allowable locations for pot shops.
“I anticipate there will be more discussion and more changes down the road as San Diego experiences these operations actually open legally,” Councilwoman Marti Emerald said.
Among other things, the City Council wants the annual permit fee to equal the cost of inspections and other expenses needed to regulate the dispensaries. The city’s projected costs include the use of police officers to make background checks, fire personnel, zoning investigators, planners and City Treasury employees.
Councilwoman Lorie Zapf cast the dissenting vote, calling the law vague on several fronts, including whether the city of the dispensary owner would pay for product testing.
— City News Service
Personnel Moves
Daniel Butler Joins Waste Management
Daniel Butler has joined Waste Management of Southern California as a public sector representative. He is charged with maintaining relationships as well as developing strategies to expand business opportunities.
Butler previously served as a political fundraiser for the CK Group, where he worked with political candidates and successfully accomplished targeted fundraising goals for several campaigns.
Butler currently serves as a representative of Waste Management on both the Santee Chamber of Commerce board of directors and El Cajon Rotary. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from California State University, San Marcos as well as a master’s degree in political science from California State University, Fullerton.
Matthew Stohl Named Shareholder
Matthew Stohl has been named a shareholder in the law firm of Balestreri Potocki & Holmes. Stohl joined the firm as an associate in 2006 and attained senior attorney status in 2013.
Stohl’s practice focuses on the representation of property owners, developers, general contractors, design professionals, and subcontractors in business litigation, construction law, premises liability, and real estate matters.
He received his law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law in 2001. He also holds an undergraduate degree in political science and psychology from Southern Methodist University.
Burns and Miller Elected Partners at Procopio
Paul Burns and Cecilia “Ceci” Miller have been elected partners at the Procopio law firm.
Burns, who splits his time among the firm’s Phoenix, San Diego and Silicon Valley offices, concentrates his practice in intellectual property and technology-related litigation, counseling and transactions, as well as commercial litigation, e-discovery, arbitration and mediation. He has held leadership positions in the American Intellectual Property Law Association, Federal Bar Association, Licensing Executives Society, Copyright Society of the USA and International Trademark Association.
Miller concentrates her practice on complex commercial litigation and pre-litigation counseling with a focus on insurance coverage recovery for corporate and municipal policyholders. She has represented technology, financial services, life sciences, hospitality, multi-media, communications, healthcare, manufacturing, construction, charter schools and municipal clients She has held leadership positions with the San Diego County Bar Association.
Michael Steiner Named Executive Director at Klinedinst
Michael Steiner has been named executive director of the Klinedinst law firm in San Diego. Steiner is charged with guiding the firm’s growth as a business law firm.
Steiner previously worked for a Honolulu-based full service law firm, and is a member of the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA). As a public speaker, he has appeared before the Hawaii State Bar Association, Association of Legal Administrators, Legal Marketing Association, S.C.O.R.E. Hawaii, and National Business Institute. He also has contributed articles to Leadership Exchange, the magazine of ALA’s Greater Los Angeles chapter. He is a registered lobbyist in Hawaii and has drafted and successfully guided several pieces of legislation into law, including bills involving long-term leases, arbitration, and the appraisal process.
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It’s Girl Scout Cookie Time!
You can buy online for the first time
Our friendly neighborhood Girl Scouts are gladly helping residents stock up on America’s favorite confection … Girl Scout cookies!
Offerings include two brand new varieties — Rah-Rah Raisins and gluten-free Toffee-tastics — and returning favorites Thin Mints, Samoas, Do-si-dos, Trefoils and Tagalongs.
Other new developments include the Digital Cookie program, through which Girl Scouts can sell cookies online for the first time, and the 40th anniversary of Samoa cookies.
All proceeds from each $5 box stay local to help fund Girl Scout activities and programs.
Through the Girl Scout Cookie Program — the world’s biggest girl-led business — girls like the members of North Park Troops 4339 and 4035 gain key skills like goal-setting, decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics. They also help serve the military by inviting customers to donate to the Operation Thin Mint (OTM) campaign, in which deployed military troops receive cookies with “notes to show we care.” This year, Girl Scouts will celebrate sending the 2.5 millionth box of OTM cookies.
Local cookie entrepreneurs include the Girl Scouts of North Park, Kensington, Mission Hills, South Park, University Heights and surrounding communities comprising Girl Scouts San Diego’s Park Hills Service Unit (volunteer support cluster).
The service unit is home to nearly 1,000 girl and adult members — among them, the Girl Scout Cadettes of Troop 4339. The girls have big plans for their earnings, including a special trip.
“We’re saving up go to Hawaii!” said seventh grader Renee, adding that while there, they will “bridge,” or transition to the next program level: Girl Scout Seniors. Her troop also recently used cookie proceeds to create holiday stocking care packages for the military.
The cookie program ends on Sunday, March 8. For more information, visit www.sdgirlscouts.org.
