Eureka Greens Legislative Agenda

Saturday, September 24, 2005

Legislative Agenda

of the Eureka Greens
a Local of the Green Party of Humboldt County (GPHC) covering Eureka, Myrtletown, Cutten, Pine Hill, Humboldt Hill and Samoa

PREAMBLE:

This Legislative Agenda is intended to provide direction in the tactical goals to be sought by Green activists in Eureka, by outlining the creation, alteration or deletion of policies to further the Ten Key Values and the fundamental rights and dignity of all citizens.

PART 1. GREEN CONTRACT AND BUILDING LAWS

A Green Contract and Building Act shall be promulgated which includes the following provisions:

a. All individuals and businesses bidding on public contracts must present actual total cost estimates prior to the application for CBDG or HOME funding.

b. All actual total cost estimates shall be independently audited for accuracy prior to the application for CBDG or HOME funding.

c. The use of mark-up sessions to allow for cost overruns shall be phased out of use.

d. All individuals and businesses bidding on public construction projects shall provide a performance bond to constrain them to on-time performance and strict adherence to specifications.

e. City staff shall conduct a new review all housing developments and existing neighborhoods to ensure that proper drainage is provided for, that tenant security is assured, that smoke detection and fire alarm equipment is in good working order and that parking is adequate.

f. All housing constructed with the use of grant funds obtained by the City shall contain at least three fire blocks between all upright timbers (except door and window frames), that all such housing have 200 ampere service in armored cable tubing and that all plumbing carry a 50-year guarantee.

g. Contractors shall be permitted to charge no more than cost plus 20% for on-time performance.

h. All new constructions shall be required to account for the creation of a passive solar hot-water system or other comparable arrangement

i. Preference shall be given to unionized firms in city contracts.

j. All individuals and businesses bidding on public construction projects shall be held contractually responsible for any repair or renovation needed on their project if the situation was caused by failure to adhere to specifications for quality construction.

k. All funding obtained through CBDG or HOME shall be dedicated exclusively to the actual construction of the projects so designated.

l. The construction of floating houses and houseboats should be legitimized, encouraged and further developed in scientific studies and real-world projects as an alternative to building on land.

m. Dust thrown off from public and private construction projects around public waterways should be tightly controlled and tested for toxicity.

n. An investigation of the function of and accounting for the City of Eureka water and wastewater systems should be conducted, as well as their relationship with the Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District.

PART 2. MEDICAL CANNABIS RIGHTS

A Patient Protection Act shall be promulgated which includes the following provisions:

a. Medical marijuana patients or their primary caregivers who cultivate medical marijuana in an area within one hundred (100) square feet cumulatively measured by the vegetative canopy of the plants will not be prosecuted.

b. Medical marijuana patients or their primary caregivers who possess three (3) pounds or less of processed usable marijuana will not be prosecuted. Unharvested plants are not to be included in this weight.

c. Medical marijuana patients or their primary caregivers who possess an additional three (3) pounds or less of marijuana products such as tinctures, infusions, oils, and any other marijuana derivatives will not be prosecuted.

d. Medical marijuana patients or their primary caregivers who possess an additional three (3) pounds or less of baked goods and salves will not be prosecuted.

e. No employee of the City shall officially assist or voluntarily cooperate with investigations, interrogations, or arrest procedures, public or clandestine, that would violate the protections for medical marijuana patients or their primary caregivers under, and within provisions of the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 (California Health and Safety Code 11362.5), or of California Health and Safety Code Secs. 11362.7 to 11362.83, or of the Eureka Patient Protection Act.

f. Employees of the City shall promptly notify the City Manager when, in the course of City employment, the following occurs: An employee is contacted by any law enforcement agency and asked to cooperate or assist with an investigation, interrogation, or arrest procedure that would violate the protections for medical marijuana patients or their primary caregivers under, and within provisions of the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 (California Health and Safety Code 11362.5), or of California Health and Safety Code Secs. 11362.7 to 11362.83, or of the Eureka Patient Protection Act. Upon such notification from an employee, or upon such contact directly, the City Manager shall promptly report to the City Council specifying the law enforcement agency seeking cooperation or assistance and the actions requested of the employee.

g. The City shall provide legal defense to any employee who is criminally charged by another entity for his or her actions in compliance with the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 (California Health and Safety Code 11362.5), or with California Health and Safety Code Secs. 11362.7 to 11362.83, or with the Eureka Patient Protection Act.

PART 3. CHARTER REFORM

The movement towards amendments to the Eureka City Charter shall be pursued, to include the following reforms:

a. Direct election of City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk and Police Chief.

b. Ranked Choice Voting, also known as Instant Runoff Voting, for all City elections.

c. Public financing of all elections for every qualified candidate who raises $500 in contributions from at least 50 donors.

d. A Code of Ethics for elected officeholders, to include standards of decorum and provisions for censure.

e. An increase in the number of City Council seats to nine, and an increase in compensation to a living wage level at part-time.

f. Public comment limited to no less than five minutes, with open public comment time of no less than thirty minutes provided near the beginning of every public City Council meeting.

PART 4. CULTURAL RENEWAL

Provisions to reduce the stifling of expression and allow for healthy social interaction shall be sought:

a. Repealing Municipal Code sections mandating dance permits.

b. Reduction of hostility to the establishment of dance halls, nightclubs and other such facilities.

c. Removing certain restrictions against smoking, drinking, sitting, lying down, playing music and other forms of expression.

d. Establishing the right to sleep and working with public-private partnerships to create a safe and sustainable campground.

e. Installing public restrooms, lockers and showers in each neighborhood, with multiple covered benches at all bus stops and other points of public congregation, with the cooperation of homeless volunteers for upkeep and maintenance.

f. Incorporating a broader range of public input, including the needs of different age and cultural groups, in public event planning.

g. Uninstallment of surveillance cameras installed on traffic signals along 4th Street and 5th Street.

h. Establishing a City-sponsored free spay-and-neuter program for dogs and cats.

i. Building a homeless outreach center to provide food, counseling, basic services and job placement opportunities.

PART 5. GREENING LAW ENFORCEMENT

A Police Review Act shall be promulgated which creates a standing Police Review Commission with the following duties:

a. To receive complaints directed against the Police Department and any of its officers and employees, and fully and completely investigate said complaints and make such recommendations and give such advice relating to departmental policies and procedures to the City Council and the City Manager in connection therewith as the commission in its discretion deems advisable.

b. To review and make recommendations concerning all written and unwritten policies, practices and procedures of whatever kind and without limitation, in relation to the Eureka Police Department, other law enforcement agencies and intelligence and military agencies operating within the City, and law enforcement generally, such review and recommendation to extend to, but not be limited to, the following:

1. Treatment of rape victims,
2. Police relationship with minority communities,
3. Police relationship with matriculated, currently enrolled students at College of the Redwoods,
4. Police relationship with victims and witnesses of violent crimes,
5. Programs regarding drug and alcohol abuse,
6. Use of weapons and equipment, including chemical agents and tasers,
7. Use of tactics,
8. Hiring and training,
9. Sanctions,
10. Priorities for policing and patrolling,
11. Budget development,
12. Other concerns as specified from time to time by the City Council.

PART 6. SUSTAINABLE EUREKA

a. The City of Eureka should catalogue its exact impact on the global problem of greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change, and incorporate mitigation measures in all new public and private developments to sequester carbon.

b. The Samoa Pulp Mill should immediately cease and desist from emitting any potentially cancer-causing chemicals or other pollutants in excess of state-established Public Health Goals.

c. Pedestrian and bicycle paths safely separated from vehicular traffic should be incorporated into the design of all major thoroughfares.

d. Eureka’s public transportation routes must be expanded, with early-morning, evening and late-night service incorporated into a system that emphasizes shuttles over buses. Light rail service should be re-established in Old Town.

e. Public facilities in Eureka and surrounding communities should incorporate photovoltaic electric generation.

f. No pesticides, herbicides or other biocides should be used on school or other public grounds.

g. The growing of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) within the City limits must be prohibited.

h. Eureka should pursue the annexations of forest, creek and marsh areas adjacent to municipal territory in order to protect a greenbelt of undeveloped lands and prevent further sprawl of unincorporated communities.

Signed,

Paul Sanderson, Chair
Eureka Greens, GPHC Local

Resolution Regarding the Recall of State and National Officials

Saturday, September 24, 2005

RESOLUTION of the Eureka Greens
a Local of the Green Party of Humboldt County (GPHC)
covering Eureka, Myrtletown, Cutten, Pine Hill, Humboldt Hill and Samoa

Resolution Regarding the Recall of State and National Officials

Whereas, The General Assembly of the Green Party of Humboldt County (GPHC) adopted the "Resolution on Affiliating the Green Party of Humboldt County with the 'Greens for Democracy and Independence' Caucus" on October 18, 2004, specifically calling for term limits, strengthened recall procedures and other measures of accountability for officials of the Green Party of California (GPCA) and the Green Party of the United States (GPUS); and


Whereas, The General Assembly of the GPHC adopted the "Resolution on Involvement of State and National Green Party Officials in their Regional, County and Local Organizations" on February 12, 2005, specifically calling for GPCA and GPUS officials residing in Humboldt County to attend, participate and be responsible to the will of the General Assembly; and

Whereas, None of the Humboldt County residents serving as officials designated by the GPCA have responded to the request of the General Assembly, nor have they made any effort to participate in the work of the GPHC or of any of its Locals; and

Whereas, Green National Committee (GNC) member David Cobb and GPCA Grassroots Organizing Working Group Co-Coordinator Dee Brady (both Eureka residents) have specifically declined invitations to the GPHC General Assembly and have ignored the formation of the Eureka Greens; and

Whereas, As a lead organizer of the statewide program for growing the Green Party, Dee Brady has been conspicuously and completely absent in local Green Party tabling and outreach efforts, nor has she contributed to the implementation of the GPHC Grassroots Organizing Strategic Plan; and

Whereas, Efforts by partners in the Greens for Democracy and Independence (GDI) Caucus to spread respect for openness, honesty and responsibility in the internal democratic procedures of Green parties across the country would be bolstered by decisive moves towards these ends within Green-minded communities across the continent as well as on the state and national levels; and

Whereas, The GPUS in its Annual National Meeting in Tulsa, Oklahoma this summer demonstrated a callous disregard for the values, platform and will of the vast majority of members in rejecting the three proposals of GDI to ensure proportional representation, independence from the corporate controlled two-party system of the Democrats and Republicans and the principle of one Green, one vote, among other affronts against grassroots democracy and basic ethics; and

Whereas, David Cobb, who purports to be the representative of this part of California on the GNC, voted against all three GDI proposals, despite the affiliation of the GPHC with GDI, and never even bothered to consult the Eureka Greens or the GPHC on his votes cast on our behalf; and

Whereas, The affiliation of the GPCA with the GPUS expired after no specific action was taken to renew it by the GPCA General Assembly, calling into question why local and state resources continue to be drained into an organization where our interests are not well-reflected. Therefore be it

Resolved, The Eureka Greens demand a county-wide recall election be held to consider the removal of David Cobb from positions in the GPCA and GPUS. Be it further

Resolved, The Eureka Greens demand a county-wide recall election be held to consider the removal of Dee Brady from positions in the GPCA and GPUS. Be it further

Resolved, The Eureka Greens request the voluntary withdrawal of the delegation of the GPCA from any further participation in the GNC or any other organ of the GPUS unless and until such time as the three proposals to re-establish basic democracy sponsored by GDI are adopted and implemented throughout the organization. Be it further

Resolved, The Eureka Greens further request the adoption of amendments to the GPUS bylaws to require term limits and local involvement of all members of the GNC and all other organs of the GPUS. Be it further

Resolved, The Eureka Greens call upon the State Coordinating Committee (CC) of the GPCA to place upon the agenda of the next plenary session of the GPCA General Assembly a proposal to continue GPUS affiliation with the understanding that such affiliation has long since lapsed. Be it further

Resolved, The Eureka Greens reaffirm their request to the State CC regarding the placement upon the agenda of the next plenary session of the GPCA General Assembly a proposal to amend the GPCA Bylaws to require term limits for members of the State CC and the State Bylaws, Finance and Platform Standing Committees. Be it further

Resolved, The Eureka Greens suggest the several local, county, regional and state Green Party organizations across the continent consider implementing requirements for state and national Green Party ‘leaders’ to be required to participate in at least a minimally substantive way in the work of their local, county and regional Green Party organizations. Be it further

Resolved, The Eureka Greens believe all county Green Party organizations in California should examine the voting records of their representatives on the GNC and other organs of the GPUS, as well as the State CC and other organs of the GPCA, in to determine the manner in which they have represented or misrepresented local positions. Be it further

Resolved, The Eureka Greens offer support to grassroots activists across California who concur with the principles of Democracy and Independence and encourage them to run for County Council or Steering Committee seats in their respective communities next year in order to foster a nonviolent consensus-based rebellion against further interference in the affairs of the Green Party at all levels by those beholden to the ‘lesser-evil’ politics of the two corporate parties. Be it further

Resolved, The Secretary of the Eureka Greens shall transmit this resolution to all other GPHC Locals, the General Assembly of the GPHC as well as all County organizations within the Emerald Region, the GDI Caucus, the State CC of the GPCA, all representatives of California on the GNC, David Cobb, Dee Brady and any other GPCA or GPUS officials residing in Humboldt County.

Signed,


Paul Sanderson, Chair
Eureka Greens, GPHC Local

Resolution on Affiliating the Eureka Greens with the Greens for Democracy and Independence (GDI) Caucus


Saturday, September 24, 2005

RESOLUTION of the Eureka Greens
a Local of the Green Party of Humboldt County (GPHC)
covering Eureka, Myrtletown, Cutten, Pine Hill, Humboldt Hill and Samoa

Resolution on Affiliating the Eureka Greens with the Greens for Democracy and Independence (GDI) Caucus

Whereas, The election of delegates to the Green Party national nominating convention and other national gatherings must reflect the will of the membership, with all delegations based on the vote of the membership must be chosen through proportional representation; and,

Whereas, The Green Party should strive for proportional representation of elected officials on the national Coordinating Committee (CC), with the number of delegates a state has serving on the CC to be allotted in as representative a manner as possible to ensure the party has the support and cooperation of its members; and,

Whereas, The Green Party as a Party may work with, show respect for, and act together with members or elected officials from the corporate controlled parties on specific issues, however, this support must not include an endorsement of their candidates; and,

Whereas, The Green Party of Humboldt County has affiliated with the Greens for Democracy and Independence (GDI) Caucus, which is dedicated to achieving internal democracy in the Green Party of the United States (GPUS) and external independence from other parties and/or corporate influence. Therefore be it

Resolved, The Eureka Greens hereby affiliates itself with the “Greens for Democracy and Independence” Caucus formed by Greens loyal to grassroots movements within the Party. Be it further

Resolved, The Eureka Greens call for the following reforms within the Green Party of California and the Green Party of the United States to bring them more into line with the Key Value of Grassroots Democracy:

1) Term limits of no more than four years for all Coordinating, Platform, Rules and Finance Committee members.

2) Involving all Green Party registrants/participants in opportunities for on-line polling for endorsements and positions.

3) More stringent requirements for the recognition of party organizations.

4) Closer cooperation with other minor parties in united front efforts against the two-party system.

5) Greater accountability methods for all party officials, including a more rapid recall process.

Signed,

Paul Sanderson, Chair
Eureka Greens, GPHC Local

Resolution to Condemn Abusive Communications

Saturday, September 24, 2005

RESOLUTION of the Eureka Greens
a Local of the Green Party of Humboldt County (GPHC)
covering Eureka, Myrtletown, Cutten, Pine Hill, Humboldt Hill and Samoa

Resolution to Condemn Abusive Communications

Whereas, The platform for the Green Party of California (GPCA) specifically condemns “censorship...by those who own the media” as “inappropriate,” calling for “genuine citizen access” to express a “diversity of views,” and

Whereas, The Eureka Greens adopted a “Resolution to Promote Responsible Journalism and Scrutinize Biased Media” which attempted to address legitimate concerns regarding the treatment of the Green Party and its candidates by local media outlets while promoting the creation of healthy alternatives, and

Whereas, KSLG-FM and its morning disc jockey John Matthews have refrained from hosting further attacks upon local Greens by The Arcata Eye owner Kevin Hoover, who continues to deride Green Party organizers with personal attacks while ignoring the existence of open elections and the empowerment of rank-and-file members regarding the shape and implementation of Green policies, and,

Whereas, Humboldt Advocate owner Shawn Warford replied to a call to use responsible scrutiny regarding his publication and its advertisers with threats of legal action against the Eureka Greens and Green Party of Humboldt County (GPHC) Chair Greg Allen, an Arcata resident who has never attended a Eureka Greens meeting, for “intimidation and unfair trade practices,” and

Whereas, Eureka Greens Chair Paul Sanderson, along with Vice Chair Heidi Calton and Local Delegate David Giarrizzo authored a response to Warford’s editorial on September 10, 2005, entitled “Media Reform Seems to Interest All Sides,” which clarified the group’s position while inviting Warford to withdraw his de facto policy of exclusion and attack upon local Greens and welcoming participation in a media reform conference, and

Whereas, Warford’s Advocate has heretofore declined to publish “Media Reform Seems to Interest All Sides” despite hispledge to accept and publish critical responses, as well as having declined to publish the letter in response to Donn Filbert’s inaccurate and libelous statements concerning Green organizing, directed on July 30, 2005 by the GPHC General Assembly and submitted by Michael Smith to the Humboldt Advocate on August 13, 2005, and,

Whereas, Warford’s claim to not enforcing a de facto policy biased against the Eureka Greens does not stand up to the facts concerning his own behavior regarding the exclusion of Green Party members and organizers, and,

Whereas, The North Coast Journal on September 1 in an article entitled “The Story of ‘Jan Johnson’” detailed a series of threatening, lurid and personal messages sent to staff members of The Arcata Eye by a fictitious ‘Jan Johnson’ from a computer terminal within a few feet of the post held then by Warford at the Arcata Chamber of Commerce on the only day of the week he was at this station, and,

Whereas, The Arcata Chamber of Commerce terminated Warford’s employment in April, soon after receiving word of a criminal complaint filed with the Arcata Police Department regarding e-mail threats, and,

Whereas, Anonymous threats against former employers and current competitors, if proven, reflect a lack of restraint from violent communications and represent exactly the kind of irresponsible business practices which damage the reputation of legitimate participants in the media or in any other field of endeavor. Therefore be it

Resolved, The Eureka Greens thank John Matthews and KSLG-FM for having ceased to play host to unwarranted attacks against the Green Party and its candidates at any time after March 8, 2005 and urge continued dialogue towards improved mutual understanding. Be it further

Resolved, The Eureka Greens categorically reject the charges made by The Arcata Eye in an editorial on September 6, 2005 as indicative of the hateful attitude of Kevin Hoover towards individuals which he falsely conflates with the entire Green movement, and challenge him to witness a Eureka Greens meeting for himself before casting sweeping judgments upon people, some of whom he has never seen or met. Be it further

Resolved, The Eureka Greens call upon all Greens to continue the slowdown upon the Humboldt Advocate and itadvertisers with continued lobbying efforts to persuade Shawn Warford directly and through his associates to retract the de facto policy of exclusion against the Eureka Greens and other Green Party organizers in neighboring communities by the Humboldt Advocate. Be it further

Resolved, The Eureka Greens condemn any alleged or potential use of anonymity via the Internet to submit false, fraudulent or abusive communications with the possible intent of impersonating others, unduly swaying public opinion or terrorizing rival publications. Be it further

Resolved, The Secretary of the Eureka Greens shall transmit this resolution to all GPHC Locals, as well as all County organizations within the Emerald Region, the GPCA, all local media, the Humboldt Advocate and any remaining businesses and organizations which still advertise in the Humboldt Advocate.


Signed,

Paul Sanderson, Chair
Eureka Greens, GPHC Local

Media Reform Seems to Interest All Sides - Guest Column

Media Reform Seems to Interest All Sides

9/10/05

Guest Column sent to the Humboldt Advocate
(and later published by the Humboldt Sentinel)

It seemed only fair to take Shawn Warford up on his offer and make another attempt to share our perspective. The entire point of the Eureka Greens' stance on media reform is to encourage dialogue, and since Sept. 1 there's been quite a bit of back and forth on what constitutes fair use of media.

When we reiterate the Green Party's platform about how "access to information has profound consequences to our democracy," we do so in the spirit of encouraging better access both public and private to the airwaves, Internet and newsstands. If one thing is clear from the passionate statements of the past week, it is the serious interest in honest media by many Humboldt County residents regardless of their party or paper of choice. In this spirit, we hope the upcoming General Assembly at Humboldt State will endorse a local media reform conference, where we'd like to include other local political parties and many media institutions in public debate.

We do regret the talk of legal action flying around in a flippant manner. To our knowledge, no Greens have made any such accusations, and are seeking change purely through lobbying, legislation, public relations and political campaigns. This talk of our supposed threat of a 'boycott' was entirely concocted outside our circle. No statement by any of our members, and no Green resolution, press release or other document has ever called for this. We merely seek to persuade a change in policy.

From all appearances, the Humboldt Advocate is disclaiming any participation in further inaccuracies being spread about the Greens, which means our call for slowdown and scrutiny has met its objective. We look forward to making this clear in writing when our general membership next meets, where we will also discuss the latest revelations regarding abusive or misattributed communications being used to manipulate our local media. We're confident our members will agree about the need to discourage the use of threats in any situation, in keeping with nonviolence.


Paul Sanderson, Chair
Eureka Greens

Heidi Calton, Vice Chair
Eureka Greens

David Giarrizzo, Local Delegate
Eureka Greens