SPEAKER-ELECT BASS OUTLINES AGENDA

Incoming-Speaker of the Assembly, Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles), has announced the main issues she plans as her focus when she is handed the gavel at her swearing-in ceremony next week on May 13:

* Balance the state budget.
* Produce $300 million to $500 million annually for foster care programs, via a ballot initiative.
* Create a blue-ribbon commission to Restructure California's tax system.

We applaud the Incoming-Speaker’s policy focus and look forward to working with her. Click here to read more.
 

GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES HISTORIC LAND CONSERVATION DEAL

The Governor announced a historic agreement between Tejon Ranch landowners and conservation and environmental groups that will permanently preserve up to 90 percent of the expansive 270,000 acre ranch, which is the largest ever privately-conserved parcel of land.

Aside from being home to the California condor and countless other plant and animal species, the Tejon ranch includes four of the state’s most important ecological regions: the Sierra Nevada, the Mojave Desert, the Coastal Range and the San Joaquin Valley. With 30,000 acres set aside for the development of smart-growth and sustainable communities, this agreement also allows its landowners to develop enough of the ranch to create thousands of jobs, millions of dollars in tax revenue and exciting places for people to live.

Since taking office, the Governor and some of California’s largest land owners have committed to building California’s conservation legacy. In addition to the Tejon Ranch agreement, since 2004, the Governor and major land owners have:

• Designated 40,000 acres of the Irvine Ranch Land Reserve as a California Natural Landmark. Last month, 40,000 acres of the Irvine Ranch Land Reserve became the first landmark to be designated through the California Natural Landmarks program. In 2006, the Governor signed AB 2900 by Assemblymember George Plescia (R-San Diego) to create this voluntary program. The goal of the program is to help preserve the ecological and geographical characteristics of California while helping protect history and natural heritage.

• Finalized the 82,000 acre Hearst Ranch conservation plan. In February 2005, the Governor announced that the Hearst Corporation, American Land Conservancy and California Rangeland Trust partnering with the state had closed escrow on a conservation plan for Hearst Ranch. The plan preserved 128 square miles of pristine rangeland and is one of the most significant coastal land gifts ever made to the State of California.

• Created the Ocean Action Plan to effectively protect and manage California’s ocean and coastal resources. In October 2004, the Governor introduced the Ocean Action Plan, which sets forth a vision and a framework for protecting and restoring California's coast and coastal waters. A key component of the Ocean Action Plan, the California Ocean Protection Council, was created by Governor Schwarzenegger when he signed the California Ocean Protection Act in 2004. The council oversees and coordinates statewide policy for the protection and management of California’s ocean and coastal resources.

• Established the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, protecting 25 million acres of important and pristine California territory. In September 2004, the Governor signed legislation to establish the Sierra Nevada Conservancy. The Sierra Nevada Conservancy funds environmental preservation while providing support for economic sustainability and is comprised of 25 million acres, all or part of 22 counties, 20 incorporated cities, 40 special districts and 212 communities.

CBPA applauds the action taken by Tejon Ranch and is proud of the vision one of its members has shown in addressing the future of California.
 

ARCHITECTS COMPARE THREE GREEN BUILDING RATING SYSTEMS

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) released a study of three green building rating systems (Green Globes, SBTool 07, and LEED NC 2.2), which outline their effectiveness in supporting the AIA’s goals of sustainability.

The full report offers analysis on each system’s strengths, as well as areas for improvement that will help achieve the AIA and industry wide goal of carbon neutral buildings by 2030. The key takeaway is that there needs to be more stringent requirements for reduced energy consumption and carbon reduction, along with greater building operational efficiency. Here are some of the key findings from the report:

* Green Building Initiative’s Green Globes: The system offers a broad based evaluation of projects in both the design process and environmental criteria. When used to certify a project, more stringent and specific requirements in the areas of energy reduction and operational performance are needed, as these are the two areas that most influence carbon production.

* U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED NC 2.2 system: This is a good example of a rating system which provides a measurement of environmental achievement. Continued developments in life cycle assessment, requirements for renewable energy or carbon reduction targets for certified projects will continue to make this system an effective resource for architects.

* International Initiative for a Sustainable Built Environment’s SBTool 07: SBTool 07 is a toolkit for designing a rating system. If used as a rating system providing certification, SBTool 07 would be stronger if there was an increase in the number of “required” items vs. those that are simply “encouraged” and required project documentation. Specific requirements in the areas of energy reduction and operational performance would supply any rating system approach that comes out of SBTool 07 with performance-based requirements necessary for reaching carbon reduction goals.

Click here to read more about AIA’s Green Building Rating System’s Report.
 

GOVERNOR'S ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC LEADERSHIP AWARDS

The Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award Program is the State of California’s highest environmental honor. The program recognizes individuals, organizations, and businesses that have demonstrated exceptional leadership and made notable, voluntary contributions in conserving California’s precious resources, protecting and enhancing our environment, building public-private partnerships and strengthening the State’s economy.

Competition is open to all California residents, businesses, non-profit organizations, professional and trade associations, communities, state and local government entities, tribes, and federal agencies operating in California.

The awards will be presented for voluntary achievements undertaken or completed in 2007 or culminated during 2007. Projects are deemed ineligible if they are the result of mitigation, litigation, or required by legislation.

If you know of any project that has focused on sustainablility or energy efficiency, you should submit a nomination. And yes, you should nominate yourself!

Click here for more information.
 

CALIFORNIA COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE SUMMIT JUNE 10-11

California Commercial Real Estate Summit (CCRES) will be held in Sacramento on June 10 and 11, 2008. This event is the one time of year that industry leaders from all sectors of the commercial, industrial, and retail real estate industry converge on California's Capitol to meet with policymakers. The summit gives you an opportunity to meet other industry leaders from across the nation, high-level staff from Governor Schwarzenegger's Administration, and California State Legislators. Click here for more information and to register for the event.
 

BOMA INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE AND THE OFFICE BUILDING SHOW

In today's market, optimizing building performance is a strategic imperative. As operating expenses increase, you must drive value in order to stay competitive. The BOMA International Conference and The Office Building Show is the place to learn the strategies and build the relationships you need to achieve operational excellence and sustain your business through this challenging market cycle. The event is June 22 – 24, 2008. More information and registration materials can be found here.
 

BOMA CALIFORNIA 2008 CALENDAR

JUNE 10 & 11 —
CALIFORNIA COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE SUMMIT (optional)
Sacramento (Hyatt Regency)
BOMA California Legislative Days – come to Sacramento to meet your statewide elected officials and advocate on behalf of the commercial real estate industry.

JUNE 11 —
BOMA CALIFORNIA BOARD MEETING
Sacramento (Hyatt Regency)
1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
This Board Meeting is held immediately following the conclusion of the California Commercial Real Estate Summit to allow BOMA California members the opportunity to attend both events.

OCTOBER 23 —
COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL/RETAIL REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY AWARDS DINNER
The Island Hotel (formerly the Four Seasons), Newport Beach, CA
5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

OCTOBER 24 —
BOMA CALIFORNIA BOARD MEETING & ELECTION OF 2009 OFFICERS
Newport Beach (meeting location TBD)
10:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m.