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Public Employees'
Retirement System (Ca1PERS) over the
neat six years.
Buckingham said Morro Bay is seeing
an escalation in pension costs of about
$1.3 million, but it's not the only local
agency feeling the pinch. The city of
SLO released its five-year fiscal forecast
and is estimating an impact of about
$ 3.2 million by fiscal year 2021-2022.
This increase comes after Ca1PERS
announced in December that it would
lower the expected average rate of return
on pension investments from 7.5 to 7 '
percent over a three-year period. The
lower rate of return causes an increase
in what local agencies need pay in to
CalPERS in order to support retirement
benefits for current and retired employees.
With that in mind, the Morro Bay City
Council instructed city staff to identify
programs and services that could see
potential funding cuts. Buckingham said
in this way, the city can foreshadow where
cuts might take place so the council can
lead a discussion with the community.
"This will help start a conversation
that'says what our priorities are and
what's important, so that when we get
to this point neat year, we have a good
cpmmunity conversation on how we're
going to balance next year's budget," he
said.
The funding cuts suggested do not
affect the proposed budget for fiscal year
2017-2018.
—Karen Garcia
SLO residents want
more access for
off--leas6ff--leash dog welldng
When SLO established open
space program in the mid -1990x, it also
established a set of rules for what would
and wouldn't be allowed in the natural
reserves.
One of those rules outlawed off -leash
dog walking, meant to protect the natural
habitat and prevent altercations between
dogs as well as conflict with hikers and
mountain bikers.
Two decades later, a growing number
of SLO dog owners are joining forces to
advocate for a rule change, to allow some
off -leash dog activity in open spaces.
Resident Wendy Eidson said many people
are frustrated with a recent crackdown
on off -leash violations: Since 2015, city
rangers levied 85 off -leash fines, at $561 _
per ticket.
"When I first moved to SLO in 1989,
none of those rules existed," Eidson told
New Times. "It just sort of escalated, and
suddenly these fines are ridiculous. It
went from maybe too lax, to way too tight.
A lot of people have been complaining."
In the last month, Eidson, Phil
Clarkson, Karen Brower, and Joe
DeMartini started a Facebook group—
"See Spot Run!"—that had 107 members
as of press time. The group's goal is
mobilize support in the community for
"solutions to help change the laws that are
overly punitive and encroach on the SLO
lifestyle that drew us here."
On the Facebook page, members point
out that the city has only one off -leash dog
park, Laguna Lake Park, and the next
nearest dog park is El Chorro Regional
Park. They suggest the city could allow
off -leash dogs on select open space trails,
or in particular areas of open space.
"Why contribute to global warming by
driving 20 -plus minutes to let my dog
run when a trail is a block away?" Debra
Muse wrote on the Facebook group.
Eidson said the group's goal is to
present a proposal for a rule change at
a SLO City Council meeting over the
summer. Right now, she's currently
focused on generating more support and
ideas.
"We're trying to get input and get a
sense of what would be realistic," Eidson
said.
SLO and its residents are also
discussing making improvements to
Laguna Lake Park—and dog parks in
general. The city is running an online
survey through May 31 to gather
community input. But the city's survey
doesn't address access to open space
trails, which is what the group's main
focus is.
"You still can't hike," said Clarkson,
a 40 -year SLO resident. "If we can have
one spot that we can do this, then I think
that's a compromise." 0
—Peter Johnson
www.newtimesslo.com • May 11 - May 18, 2017 • New Times • 7
ATTACHMENT Z
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DAVID MIDDLECAMP dmiddlecamp@thetribunenewwom
THE TALONS CONE OUT
A bald eagle finds a perch in a cottonwood tree near Orcutt Road on Wednesday afternoon. Taking offense to the eagle's pres-
ence, a red-tailed hawk occasionally dive-bombed the eagle.
0
AICA CMDENT 8 (CUITIN. ON NEXT PAGE: P �)
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• JOEJOHNSTON ijohnston@thetribunenem com
James Henderson takes an afternoon hike up the trail near Lizzie Street in San Luis Obispo in 2005.
it's time to end
nighttime hiking ban
BY MATT ZIEMINSIC[
I Contrary to what
I've been told
my birthdate
and generation
define me as, I am not
lazy. Every day, -from
8 a.m. to 5 p.m., I find
myself indoors, in front
of a desk.
Even the best office at
the best company in San
Luis Obispo cannot save
me from the inescapable
fact that I am deprived
of the outdoors during
working hours. In the
winter, this sad real-
ization becomes even
more pronounced as day
turns into early night.
This situation is exacer-
bated by a local
ordinance passed by the
city in 1998 that prohib-,
its nighttime hiking. It
also contributes to an
elitist culture that stands
in stark contrast to the
#ShareSLO moniker
commonly used to pro-
mote tourism in our area
by outdoor enthusiasts.
70
MACH M ENT 5 tGON71N. FROM LAST PAGES P. W
The ban makes trails and
open space inaccessible to
many who work during the day
If San Luis Obispo is to
tivly live up to its reputa-
tion as the "happiest city
in America" it must afford
the things that make such
a statement true for all
individuals, regardless of
race, age, wealth or occu-
pation.
The realities of work-
ing in our society de-
mand an adherence to a
schedule that often pre-
cludes young individuals
from taking full advan-
tage of our beautiful
nature preserves in San
Luis Obispo. According
to the latest census re-
ports released in 2015 by
Data USA, the median
age of residents in San
Luis Obispo stands at 25
— a demographic more
likely to hold nontradi-
tional jobs, which re-
quire work outside the
standard 8 -to -5 shift.
In many cases, once
these average residents
find time at the end of
the day, they cannot
legally take advantage of
local hiking and outdoor
options, thanks to the
city's prohibition on
nighttime hiking.
This problem becomes
even more pronounced
when you consider that
hiking and enjoyment of
outdoor activities make
people both happier and
healthier. The ban on
nighttime hiking cultiv-
ates a culture that un-
evenly offers nature's
"perks" to retirees and
wealthier citizens of the
community who, in
many cases, are not
beholden to a daytime
occupation and are free
to take advantage of
hiking options any time
of the week.
Thanks in large part to
the thoughtful and mea-
sured consideration of
our residents and local
government, San Luis
Obispo has successfully
maintained a strong
connection to heritage
that spans over a centu-
ry. However, the citizens
of this area should now
move to seek out cre-
ative solutions to offer
more•opportunities for a
growing demographic to
take part in connecting
with that heritage
through our local nature
preserves.
Concerns about the
impact to oc a itat
are both va an reme-
Ma e. Stl-uctw,eu, but
imite , nighttime - ng
opportunities =112 both
protect the environment
and also allow more
people to take advantage
of extraordinary local
stargazing and fitness
treasures.
In many areas across
the world, the best dis-
plays of nature are not
truly realized until they
are seen at all hours.
Sharing San Luis Obispo
should not be limited to
any demographic's sched-
ule. From the Yosemite
"firefall" to the Northern
Lights, many extraordin-
ary moments are only
ever fully experienced at
unordinary times.
Matt Zieminski works at
iFixit as an account
manager. He loves tearing
stuff apart, figuring out
what makes things tick (or
stop ticking), and in his
spare time, he's usually
out on a hiking trail in
the greater San Luis
Obispo area.
_.THE TRIBUNE) 5L O CO.)THUR.)31Z1)7 P 2B
ATTACHMENT 4
0
H1 cers soon can
explore Pisino
Preserve on own
on 2 days
;Lo CO.
BY ICA17LYN LESLIE
kleslie@tit6tribunenews.com
a month
W F-1), 5 /91/171 P.1 A
Hikers will have two opportu-
nities to explore the Pismo Pre-
serve on their own next month,
after several months of setbacks
have kept the massive 11 -mile
system of trails inaccessible to
Casual hikers for the better part
of a year.
Starting in June, the Land
Conservancy of San Luis Obispo
County will hold two "Discov-
ery Days" each month, where
people can explore the pre-
serve's 900 acres unsupervised.
The group regularly hosts do-
cent -led hikes of the preserve
each week, though those require
registration in advance. -
The first Discovery Days are
scheduled for June 10 and 25,
from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; interested
visitors can access the trails via
a free shuttle service with stops
in Pismo Beach and Oceano (for
7�)
JOEJOHNSTON Mohnston@theldbunenewscom
The Pismo Preserve offers 11 miles of hiking trails and breathtaking
views of the coast. The first Discovery Days are set for June 10 and 25
a full shuttle stop list, visit the
Land Conservancy website).
'Though bicyclists can access
tht, preserve at the trailhead,
pedestrians cannot because the
PISMO PRESERVE
tie Road, according to a
news release.
For many, this will be
the first opportunity to
access a project that has
been in the works since
2014.
"The Pismo Preserve is
a spectacular place, and
we are excited to welcome
everyone to visit the prop-
erty via our guided activ-
ities and upcoming Dis-
covery Days," Executive
Director Kaila Dettman
said in the release. "The
new trails are ready and
waiting thanks to our
amazing volunteers, and I
can't wait for people to
experience the preserve
on their own time and in
their own way."
The Pismo Preserve was
acquired by the Land
Conservancy in Septem-
ber 2014 for more than
$12 million after a massive
fundraising effort. Of that,
$8 million was donated by
the state Coastal Conser-
vancy and Wildlife Con-
servation Board, $3 mil-
lion came from local and
regional government
agencies, and the
remaining $1.3 million
was donated by the
community.
Though it was at one
time expected to ready in
2015, the preserve's open-
ing was delayed after the
discovery of numerous
archaeological sites on the
property, and after the
group found out it would
need to install public
safety improvements like
signs.
The Land Conservancy
anticipates fully opening
the trail system to the
general public in late
2018.
Kaytlyn Leslie:
805-781-7928, @kaytyleslie
01W P. 4A
group has not yet completed all
of the necessary infrastructure
at the trail entrance off of Mat -
Kaila Dettman,
executive director of
Land Conservancy of
San Luis Obispo County,
in a news release
To place an obituary
in The Tribune or The Cambrian, call 805,781.7834
and leave a message or e-mail
Obits@TheTrib uncNei+s.corn
Obituary Information and Guidelines can be found at
sariluisobispo.com(obituaries
All obituaries go oitl m -at Legacy.
.I f ]' (, \ 1._ ccna for 6 nioirths, Leith anonline
ilia! ;Aj`tst is Is r' i nuestbook that is open for 30 days.
SEE PISMO PRESERVE, 4A
4A OCal THE TRIBUNE
1 15L_0 Co., %;q,117
ATTAGHIvIENT
City of San Luis Obispo
Kings Trail in San Luis Obispo's Irish Hills Natural Reserve is among the locations
featured in this year's #PixOnPeaks Hiking Challenge.
Hike
lII SLS
could win a prize
seven peaks
D and you
BY SARAH LINN
Blinn@thetrib unenews. cont
The next time you hike
a hill, the city of San Luis
Obispo wants you to whip
out your iPhone.
Returning for a third
year, the #PixOnPea s
ng en a encour-
ages hikers to snap selfies
or aoup photos at seven
local ea cs — and s are
them via Insta am w7t
the hashtag #PixOnPe
Participants shouldin-�
clude hashtags for the
locations of the shots as
well.)
Once they've visited all
seven spots,hi-kers can
drop by the city Parks and
Recreation Department
office at 1341 Nt omo
Street to pick up a free
#P:xnPeaks hat.
The challenge officially
r started this week.
Here's a list of #PixOn-
Peaks locations for your
next outdoorsy photo
shoot:
■ Kiosk at Allen K. Settle
Trail at Laguna Lake
Park
• Tree growing out of rock
at Terrace Hill
• Wetland kiosk at Bob
Jones City -to -Sea Trail
• Bench at Kings Trail in
Irish Hills Natural
Preserve
• Lemon trees at Lemon
Grove Loop on Cerro
San Luis
• Bench at Reservoir
Canyon Road entrance
to Reservoir Canyon
Loop
• Orange Loop in Irish
Hills
For more information,
int uc ing trail n1aps, ca
805-781-7302 or visit
www.slocity-org/ _
government/depart
ment- irecto ar s- i
and -recreation ranger-
servtceaxon ea s.
Sarah Linn: 805-781-7907,
@shelikestowatch
73
ATrACH ME NT 6
-1111IR - ftv
How do you feel about SLO extending
nighttime hiking hours?
Taylor Aimes
retail associate
"I don't have a
problem with it, but
it can raise some
problems if people
aren't safe. I think it
should be done for
certain trails."
Caitlyn Connor
studenVgraphic
designer
"I love night hikes, so
put me down for yes."
Kathy Connor
college counselor
"We're from Oregon,
so we don't care."
Brian Ball
software sales
"A bunch of people
out there hiking
at midnight? I'd
probably be one of
them."
NEW TIMES, IIAR.30—APRd6,2017 R16
077*
ATTACHMENT 7
KW
Not alit; 55, gL �N
ti 2O�e
Is a waste of trails
I am pleased that New Times decided
to publish an article ("Path less
traveled," May 18) regarding night riding
and night trail use. However I am not
pleased that the article was heavily
weighted toward the cons. It would have
been more representative to include
additional input from the mountain
biking and trail running community.
After reading the article, about 70
percent of it seemed to highlight the
negativity toward night use of the trails.
I have been a competitive athlete most
of my life, and I have been competing in
mountain bike races for the last seven
years. When the sun sets before 5 p.m. it
is impossible for anyone who is working
to make it out for a ride. I am a member
of Central Coast Concerned Mountain
Bikers, a Land Conservancy of SLO
County member, and Pismo Preserve
bike docent. I take time to volunteer for
these groups, and all my efforts go to
waste in the fall and winter.
I live in the Five Cities area and
work in Santa Maria, therefore itis
a large burden and environmentally
unsustainable to drive from Santa
Maria after work for more than an hour
to get to Montana de Oro just to get
in an hour of riding and then drive 45
minutes home. When racing is your life
and mountain biking is what your daily
routine consists of, being stripped away
of the basic right to enjoy your hobby is
wrong. I strongly oppose the dawn -to -
dusk regulations on the trails I have
worked hard to build and maintain. It's
a waste of a trail network that otherwise
could be enjoyed by those as passionate
about riding as I am.
Daniel Ramirez
P. 17
Grouer Beach