Santa Barbara Bank & Trust Will See 468 Laid Off

The Union Bank purchase of Santa Barbara Bank & Trust branches on the Central Coast will result in the layoff of 468 employees,most of them by April, says bank spokesman Dan Weidman
Here is the banks statement.
“Union Bank will retain 570 Santa Barbara Bank & Trust employees, including most customer-facing positions across the bank.  468 positions will be eliminated over the course of the next twelve months. 80 percent of those whose positions have been eliminated will not depart the bank until at least April 30, 2013. Union Bank currently has 175 open positions from Los Angeles to San Jose for which impacted employees can apply.”
That would leave about 300 without a job even if they can fill an open position that may be a hundred miles or more from where they live now.
Santa Barbara Bank and Trust had 46 locations from Gilroy south to Beverley Hills. Union Bank has some duplicate locations with Santa Barbara Bank & Trust including San Luis Obispo and Santa Maria in our reading area.
The Japanese-owned bank has not said which former SBB&T branches they will close but it is clearly in double figures.
Union Bank is slated to brand all the SBB&T locations as Union Bank.

El Polo Loco Coming To Visalia

Costa Mesa restaurant chain El Pollo Loco has filed preliminary plans with the City of Visalia to open a location on Mooney Blvd.The popular fast food chain that offers grilled marinated chicken and other Mexican foods filed a plan to locate a store just north of the new BevMo in front of the new WalMart on South Mooney.
El Pollo Loco would buy the vacant lot on Mooney from Cal Trans who bought the land to widen Mooney some years ago.
Juan Francisco Ochoa started the restaurant in Guasave, Sinaloa, Mexico, in 1975. By 1979, the chain had expanded throughout northern Mexico. In 1980, its first U.S. restaurant opened in Los Angeles, California, at 503 Alvarado Street, near Sixth Street. In 1983, the American restaurants in the chain were acquired by Denny’s, with an agreement that the Ochoa family would continue to operate the restaurants in Mexico. American Securities Capital Partners acquired El Pollo Loco in 1999 and sold it to current owner Trimaran Capital Partners in 2005.
In the U.S., the El Pollo Loco chain operates in Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Texas, California, and Illinois.

Will F-35 Fighters Be Based In Lemoore? We’ll Find Out In January

F-35C lands on a carrier

Will the West Coast base for the Navy’s version of the Joint Strike fighter planes be located in Lemoore or alternately in El Centro near San Diego? San Diego is, after all, the home base for the Pacific fleet.

There is one local guy who knows – but he is not saying. That’s NAS Lemoore base commander Capt Eric Venema who advises he got a peek at the draft environmental impact statement the other day that is being circulated through command channels that offers the Navy’s preferred location.

Drum roll please. Like I said he’s not saying.

“The draft document should be out in January”says Venema,followed by a 45 day comment period. A final Record of Decision is not expected until December 2013. The environmental study started in January 2011.

The plan calls for a one to one replacement of the jets used currently on aircraft carriers with the latest jets that use stealth technology.

The new planes being made by Lockheed Martin would replace an aging fleet of carrier-based F-18 Hornets which the Navy eventually plans to phase out.  The US military expects to buy 2,443 aircraft to provide the bulk of its tactical airpower for the Air Force, Marines and Navy in coming decades with the Navy last in line. The Navy’s version is called the F-35C.

Asked by phone if he thinks the Navy will pick Lemoore over El Centro, former Kings County supervisor Tony Oliveira quipped “I couldn’t hear you, I had a jet in my ear” since the Oliveira homestead is close to the base flight path just west of Lemoore.

“I do understand they have made the choice to come to Lemoore.We better hopes so.This is a $1 billion decision.”

A 2008 economic assessment study found the base contributed $161 million in labor income annually to the local economy and counting the spinoffs – has a total economic impact of just under $1 billion every year. The total population associated with the local base that straddles Kings and Fresno Counties is around 44,000 says the study.

Oliveira says if the Navy selects El Centro that would be “pretty much the end of the base” since the squadrons who fly the upgraded planes are the same people with new hardware. Most of the Kings County’s personnel and support services would transfer to southern California. El Centro boosters are eager as well.

The Navy established the Kings County base in 1961, the newest West Coast base.NAS Lemoore now hosts the Navy’s entire west coast fighter/attack capability.

“If the Navy doesn’t chose Kings County I would hate to be at the next BRAC congressional hearing.” suggest Oliveira.

El Centro might be closer to San Diego,perhaps a few more days of sunshine, but the Lemoore location has plenty going for it despite the fact the sea is nowhere in site.

Unlike almost every Navy base in coastal areas this base is not threatened by rapid urban growth. Surrounded by thousands of acres of open farmland there is little to impede the jets coming and goings.If the ocean is not next door – it is a short jaunt at 1500mph as is the open desert for training purposes.

To keep urban users away the base with local jurisdictions went through a joint land use study and agreement to keep the flight path clear in the future and minimize concerns that the new jets will be a little noisier.

Even now,Venema says they are looking to cut water use on their land considering installing solar power arrays on some of the land that would both generate green energy, cut water use while minimizing potential bird strikes. The bird issue is a big one with the idea to not offer a habitat conducive to bird prey like rodents.Right now most of the protective land around the base is farmed.But there is a water shortage.

Add all this up and the Navy appears to be making a bet on NAS Lemoore having recently transferred an East Coast squadron here and  in the process of transferring two more, each a 500 person move. Capt. Venema says all these units will be in place by 2014. A new search and rescue helicopter squadron has come to the base for off- coast rescue if need be. Clearly the US Navy is invested here.

The Kings County base is a training site as well as base for the planes ,the pilots and families when they are not at sea as they are right now – on duty in the waters of the Middle East and around the world.

Navy Times Weighs In

There is some optimism that this Central Valley base will be selected as the Navy has spent so much time and money on this location establishing it as their key West Coast base.

Here the Navy Times reports the beginning of the 2 year study in January 2011 offering what they think will happen.
”The likely home for seven active-duty F-35C joint strike fighter squadrons and a training squadron will be Naval Air Station Lemoore, in California’s Central Valley, home of Pacific Fleet’s F/A-18 Hornets and Super Hornets. But the Navy also is weighing basing the squadrons at El Centro Naval Air Facility, a desert airbase two hours east of San Diego that’s the winter home of the Navy’s “Blue Angels” flight demonstration team.
The Navy plans to begin in 2015 the 10-year process of transitioning from its existing 100 F/A-18 Hornets in the Pacific Fleet to 109 F-35Cs. The service also wants to establish the training squadron, known as the fleet replacement squadron, in 2017 and co-locate it with other fleet squadrons.
“In order to maximize efficiency of support facilities, simulation devices and on-site support personnel, the Navy intends to base all of its West Coast F-35C aircraft at one location,” Navy officials said in a Jan. 27 announcement of plans for to complete an environmental impact statement.
The Navy narrowed down its list of potential home bases from 134 military air facilities in the continental U.S. and found that Lemoore and El Centro “best meet Navy F-35C requirements.”
Some Doubts
Before we get too confident – consider the US Navy may or may not be fully committed to the F-35C. A recent article quoted Admiral Jonathan Greenert’s opinion that the high cost of stealth technology, the budget crisis in Washington and the success of unmanned aircraft in a changing military landscape could spell a change in attitude on investing in the planned purchase of 480 F-35Cs.  100 of those planes would be stationed here.
“In his column, Adm. Greenert does not mention the fighter by name, but he does note the limits of stealth technology. And the Navy is buying only one stealth aircraft — the F-35.”

Thinking Inside The Box – Visalia Manufacturer Expanding – Adding 75 Jobs

Kaweah Container Inc has purchased the 174,000sf former Alcoa/Reynolds plant on Goshen Ave in the Visalia Industrial Park.The 1970s built facility on 12 acres has been vacant for 6 years.

President of Kaweah Container Robert Reeves says the large facility is being remolded and equipped to make corrugated boxes mostly for the food industry.

Food making and shipping is big business in Tulare County and Kaweah Container has been on roll to capture more of that business.

“Since I came to the company in 2004, Kaweah Container has grown from around 17 employees to 170 ” says Reeves. The firm has facilities in Cutler,where if originated next to the Wileman Bros and Elliott packing facility – one now in Livermore where it makes boxes and Visalia – where they had leased a 77,000 sf office and distribution center. That building also housed the company’s corporate offices. The lease is up early next year.

“Now that we have purchased the Goshen Ave building we have a game plan to expand rapidly ” says Reeves – adding about 75 jobs. The schedule includes opening the new plant in January and being fully operational by mid-year.

“Our major customers come from the dairy, Mexican food and other frozen food business” says Reeves although the company also make boxes for field ag use as well.

The new facility will also be the corporate office for both Kaweah Container and parent company Wileman Bros & Elliott. Reeves says the new building will house around 100 hourly workers and 30 to 40 administrative staff who will relocate from the leased Visalia facility.

Helping to make the purchase possible is the sale of Wilman Bros & Elliott’s CCPI juice plant in Lindsay announced recently says Tommy Elliott.”We wanted to use the capital in what we see as our core business” he says. The firm has its roots in tree fruit and citrus growing in Cutler-Orosi and Visalia.

Tulare County has a major presence in the container and packaging industry including the number one player in the business – International Paper – with a big cup making plant in Visalia employing 320 and International Paper’s Weyerhaueser division employing 150 in Exeter at a corrugated box making plant.

Tulare County EDC manager Mike Washam says they will host a ribbon cutting ceremony for Kaweah Container in December. Washam says when Kaweah bought the building,a temporary tenant – GreenTech Inc, moved its small operation to a vacant building in Sultana.

Since the Goshen Ave plant closed in 2007, Reynolds sold the property to an investment group who sold it this month to Kaweah Container. The property had been on the market for $9.2 million in 2010 but sold for about $5.3 million.

Handling the sale were Doug Burr of Burr Commercial, Arnel Koster of Schuil & Associates and Matt Graham of Hyde Commercial.

Doug Burr says this year industrial property is selling for $20 to $25 per square ft. “The good news is that 90% of the buyers this year have been owner/operators” instead of just investors.

That means active businesses are filling empty buildings.

Biz Beat: Power Plant / Gas Prices / Olam Int. / Delano Citrus Plant

Avenal Power Project Gets New Hearing

The California Energy Commission is expected  to OK a petition to build the long awaited Avenal Power plant,a 600MW natural gas fired power facility just east of I-5 at their January 9 meeting.The plant sits in the city limits of Avenal,California.

This month the Energy Commission staff reviewed the petition and assessed the impacts of the proposed modifications on environmental quality, safety and public health. “Energy Commission staff supports the proposed modifications along with staff recommended changes to the project” expected to lower emissions of concern from the original plan and  says it” will not result in a significant adverse direct or cumulative impact to the environment.”

The move to refile the project plan with lower emissions is seen as a way to sidestep entanglement with the EPA and a lawsuit against the EPA that has tied this project up for years. Environmental Justice advocates have criticized the project since it is close to Kettleman City.

California Average Gas Price Drops $1 Since Mid October

California’s skittish gas prices climbed overnight by 50 cents in September but have now plunged nearly $1 a gallon since October 11 says website Gas Buddy. The average price is now $3.70,down from a high of $4.67. Stations were quick to go up and slow to go down ,no surprise.The cheapest price for gas in the state is now down to $3.23 per gallon around Lodi. In Fresno AAA says the average price as of November 26 was $3.67, the same price for that date a year ago. The cheapest around Tulare County,$3.49 at a number of Tulare locations.Around SLO the best we get is $3.79.

Food Processor Olam Denies Financial Problems

Singapore based Olam Int has denied a report it faces financial insolvency. The company has several large food processing operations in the Central Valley. Olam International Ltd. this week rebutted a research report by Muddy Waters LLC and said it faces no risk of insolvency.
Olam has “sufficient liquidity” to fund its current business as well as future investment plans, the company said in a statement to Singapore Exchange.

 

Paramount Citrus’s Delano Mandarin plant

New Delano Citrus Plant Uses Green Energy
Nov. 16, 2012 In Delano , Paramount Citrus celebrated the grand opening of its new citrus packinghouse, which will be home to the company’s sweet, seedless, E-Z peel™ Cuties® California Mandarins. The facility measures in at more than 640,000 square feet – the equivalent of 11 football fields under roof – making it the world’s largest citrus packinghouse. The new plant employs 500.
Among its innovations – Half of the power used at the Cuties® Plant will come from “green energy” generation. On the roof is a 2.7MW solar plant which will generate 15 percent of the power for the Cuties® Plant, making it one of the largest customer-owned rooftop solar plants in the U.S. Additionally, a 1.6MW fuel cell, which produces electricity from natural gas with no combustion, will supply a further 35 percent of the power required to run the facility.
Paramount opened a new packinghouse in Delano, Calif., on Nov. 16 that has the capacity to pack 800,000 3-pound bags of Cuties daily.

The company is owned by Stewart Resnick who was on hand for the ribbon cutting.

NEW TULARE COUNTY ASIAN CITRUS PSYLLID DETECTION NEAR TERRA BELLA

Citrus pests have been found near Stathmore and now Terra Bella

Tulare, CA. November 27, 2012

Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner’s office is announcing that an additional Asian citrus psyllid detection has occurred approximately one mile south of the community of Terra Bella. The detection was confirmed last week, bringing the number of psyllids found in Tulare County to three, including two detected previously in the Strathmore area.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture, in cooperation with the agricultural commissioner’s office, is beginning to plan residential treatment programs in the county. More details will be provided at an informational open house scheduled for residents of the Strathmore area on Tuesday, November 27, 2012, at the Grand Avenue United Methodist, Fireside Room, 776 West Grand Avenue, Porterville, CA 93257, from 5:30pm – 7:00pm. An evaluation of quarantine regulations for Tulare County continues and will include the latest detection.

The Asian citrus psyllid is an invasive species of grave concern because it can carry the disease huanglongbing (HLB), also known as citrus greening.  All citrus and closely related species are susceptible hosts for both the insect and the disease.  There is no cure once a tree becomes infected.  The diseased tree will decline in health, producing bitter, misshaped fruit until it dies. To date, HLB has been detected on just one residential property in the Hacienda Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles.

“The Asian citrus psyllid is a dangerous pest of citrus, “said Marilyn Kinoshita, Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner.  “We’re working to determine the full extent of this infestation so that we can protect our state’s vital citrus industry as well as our residential citrus trees.  We want to emphasize that citrus fruit is safe to eat and the disease is not harmful to human health. The Asian citrus psyllid is another example of the many invasive species that enter our state every year.”

The state of Florida first detected the pest in 1998 and the disease in 2005, and the two have now been detected in all 30 citrus producing counties in the state of Florida.  The pest and disease are also present in Louisiana, Georgia, South Carolina and Texas.  The states of Hawaii, Mississippi, Arizona, and Alabama have detected the pest but not the disease.

Residents in the area who think they may have seen the pest are urged to call CDFA’s Pest Hotline at 1-800-491-1899.  For more information on the Asian citrus psyllid and huanglongbing disease visit: http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/acp/.

Get Out The Ark? 5 Day Storm A Real Soaker

Writing an article for the California Citrograph magazine back in August about the prospects for a wet winter in California meteorologist Alan Fox wrote:

“We expect that the combined contributions of El Nino and expected PNA pattern (cold SSTA area off northern California) will encourage recurrent periods of storms moving into central and southern California during mid-December 2012 and January 2013. Because of the proximity of cold airmasses and the supply of cold air from the west and northwest into California, we expect that snow amounts will be abundant in the Sierra Nevada this season for the region that includes
the following watersheds: Upper San Joaquin, upper Kings, Merced, Stanislaus, Tuolumne, American, Yuba, and south portion of the Feather.”

Looks like the pattern may be emerging a few weeks early and with an attitude.

This week Alan’s privately circulated Fox Weather report is predicting a real soaker reminiscent of the weak El Nino year of 1969 he says – what he calls an ”humongous storm” that is now expected to hit Northern and Central California over a five day period – November  28,29,30 and December 1& 2.

Particularly strong will be rainfall totals on the 30th (Friday) he says with Sacramento getting 1.6 inches in one hour and 14 inches of rain in 24 hours hitting the Napa region. He predicts up to 2.5 inch an hour in the Feather River area.

Rainfall will be impressive in the Santa Lucia mountains on SLO’s northern boundary with a five day total of 21.6 inches on Anderson Peak and 17 inches in Big Sur, he predicts.The Santa Cruz foothills could receive 12.51 inches over this period , all sand bag numbers.

In the mid San Joaquin Valley, Fox is predicting the five day total should be 3 inches in Fresno and 2.86 in Visalia but falling well off further south with Bakersfield receiving just 0.39 inches for the five days.Southern California may not get much either. Mariposa, above Fresno, gets over 10 inches as the Sierra foothills get plenty of rain and runoff.

The upper San Joaquin watershed- key for water users in the Central Valley would get 13.4 inches of water at Tamarack at 7600 ft and 33 inches of snow,nearly 3 ft.That will make them happy at nearby China Peak. The nearby Huntington weather station has only 5 inches in the bucket so far this year with an annual average of 42 inches .So this five day total would take it to approaching  half a years supply well before Christmas,good news for farmers.

Bear Valley skiers will be happy getting near 46 inches at Gianeli at 8400 ft.

If there is good news for the snowpack there may be flooding problems in the Valley and especially the Delta region where the storm will target.

Much of Central California’s water supply and agricultural areas are protected by a set of levees along the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers that are in serious danger of failure during an extreme flood or major earthquake. The 1,600 miles of levees protect 500,000 people, 2 million acres of farmland, and structures worth $47 billion. Of particular concern is the delta at the confluence of California’s Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers, about 80 miles inland from San Francisco Bay. The Delta Region receives runoff from more than 40% of California, and is the hub of California’s water supply system, supplying water to 25 million people and 3 million acres of farmland.

Fox says this storm pattern is not just the largest one this year but  perhaps biblical in scale – an ARkStorm (for Atmospheric River 1000 Storm), It is a hypothetical but scientifically realistic “superstorm” scenario developed and published by the United States Geological Survey, Multi Hazards Demonstration Project (MHDP). It describes an extreme storm that may impact much of California causing up to $725 billion in damages and repair (most caused by flooding), and affect a quarter of California’s homes.

Such an event would be similar to intense California storms which occurred in 1861 and 1862.[1] The name “ARkStorm” means “Atmospheric River (AR) 1000 (k).” The name was created as a way of quantifying the magnitude of west coast storms. It also meant to be drawn as a parallel to the biblical Noah’s Ark story.

So far the NWS SF says there are some chances for flooding over the coming weekend but does not see the potential for a massive event .

Another Take

Here is another take of the effect of these upcoming storms on the SLO region from PG&E forecaster John Lindsey.

A cold front from this low pressure system will pass the Central Coast on Wednesday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. with
moderate gale to fresh gale force (32- to 46-mph) southeasterly winds along the coastline and moderate rain throughout San Luis Obispo County.

Rainfall amounts on Wednesday will range between 0.75 and 1.25  inches with the coastal mountains receiving over 2.00 inches. Snow will develop in the Sierra above 5,500 and 7,000 feet on
Wednesday with a foot of new snow by Thursday morning.

Moderate to fresh (13- to 24-mph) southerly winds and a few scattered rain showers are expected on Thursday.

A stronger and even wetter Gulf of Alaska storm system is forecast to move southeastward towards the Central Coast on Friday. The associated cold front will reach northern
San Luis Obispo County by Friday evening producing rain as far south as Cambria. This system will move slowly southward  with rain reaching Morro Bay by Saturday afternoon.

Widespread moderate to heavy rain will spread to the rest of the County by Saturday night and will continue through Sunday morning.

Along with the rain, fresh gale to strong gale force (39- to 54-mph) southwesterly winds are forecast along the coastline  on Sunday morning.

The storm has a subtropical tap of moisture and rainfall amounts will be impressive with 1 and 3 inches across the low elevation locations and 4 to 6 inches of precipitation in the mountains.
Snow levels will be high and generally above 7,500 feet.

Overall, it will be a very wet and windy week and weekend starting Wednesday.

State Grant Will Expand Kaweah Oaks Preserve

Deep Creek at the Kaweah Oaks preserve near Visalia

A Prop 84 grant from the State of California will allow the expansion of the 322 acre Kaweah Oaks Preserve in coming months. According to to a grant notice the Sequoia Riverlands Trust will receive $410,181 to help acquire approximately 22 acres of riparian habitat adding approximately one-half mile of creek frontage along Deep Creek to the Kaweah Oaks Preserve in Tulare County.

The property long sought by preservationists is just to the north of the current preserve line and will enable to boundary to follow Deep Creek along the preserve’s northern edge (see map).The property is owned by the Hesse family and is the triangle piece just north of the current yellow boundary.

The original preserve was purchased in 1983.Crisscrossed with several tributaries of the Kaweah River the oak studded preserve is a popular outing destination just east of Visalia.

A formal ceremony is set for Sacramento November 28.

In 2006, California voters passed Proposition 84, the Safe Drinking Water, Water Quality and Supply, Flood Control, River and Coastal Protection Bond Act, which authorized the Legislature to appropriate funds to benefit river parkway projects.

The California River Parkways Program, a competitive grant program administered by the secretary for natural resources, awards funds to public agencies and non-profit organizations to develop river parkways in their communities

Exeter Ford Dealership Expected To Change Hands

Exeter’s Monarch Ford car dealership is expected to change hands next month if all approvals go forward.

A legal Bulk Notice of the pending sale was published November 15 saying the sale was anticipated to be complete by December 5.

The notice says the buyer is Michael D. Moore who has formed a corporation called Exeter Motors Inc. Mr Moore is the former owner of Diablo Ford in Pittsburg California in the Bay Area. That dealership just changed hands October 29.

Monarch Ford owner Paul Deathriage confirmed the deal but said ”I’m not in a position right now to talk about the pending sale due to factory restraints but after December 3rd I would be happy to speak with you after the buyer gets approved. I hope you can understand the position I’m in.”

Mr Deathriage’s father Paul Sr. founded Monarch Ford in 1983 with his sons Paul and Mike completing a nearly 30 year stretch as the local Ford dealer located in Downtown Exeter. The D Street dealership is likely the largest sales tax generators for the city and employs around 30.

Monarch advertises that it” is the only Dealer in Central Valley in California to be awarded the 2011 Presidents Award. This award is for outstanding Customer Satisfaction. When all Dealers pay the same price from Ford why not deal with a proven leader in Customer satisfaction. Monarch Ford is a 11 time winner of this award.”

Monarch also has a used-car yard and offers automotive repair services.

After a few tough years, the new car business is on the rebound in 2012 and Ford sales in California are up 14.5% in the latest quarter according to the California New Car Dealers Association. Ford enjoys the top selling full-size pickup in the nation in the Ford F-Series with a one third market share in this category in the Golden State.

Sources say the new owner is considering a name change for the small town dealership.

New Grade Separation For Tulare

Tulare City Council approved a contract to build the new Bardsley rail underpass for $10.7 million to Clovis-based Emmett’s Excavation.The low bid was $1 million less than the engineer’s estimate.That means both grade separations (Cartmill was the other one) came in a total of around $3.2 million less than Measure R budgeted says city engineer Mike Whitlock.The city will ask TCAG if that $3.2 million can be applied to the new Cartmill interchange says Whitlock.The city is in final negotiations with property owners around the interchange with the goal being to “control the right of way by the end of this year.” The new Bardsley tunnel will begin construction in late February or early March. Whitlock says they opted for an underpass because there was no room for a bridge.