North Bay Business Journal

Most people would agree that if a school, hospital or road project has been subjected to extensive environmental review and met all federal, state and local environmental laws, including the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act and the Clean Air Act, the project should go forward without being sued for purported environmental reasons. Unfortunately, [...]

SACRAMENTO — The California Chamber of Commerce issued an updated list of new laws that will impact California employers.  The list, which appears below, includes recent changes to the pregnancy disability regulations and the disability discrimination and accommodation regulations.  Other significant changes for 2013 include anti-discrimination protections, employee access to personnel records and employer access [...]

In October, the City of Benicia received the coveted and prestigious IEDC (International Economic Development Council) “Excellence in Economic Development” Award for their new Business Resource Incentive Program.

This new program, an implementation strategy identified in the city’s recently adopted Business Development Action Plan, was designed to marry the city’s two top priorities; economic development and sustainability.

The California State Association of Counties has elected Sonoma County Supervisor Efren Carrillo to serve as second vice president. …

Napa-based Attracta announced the addition of David Koston as chief technology officer. …

Seguin Moreau Napa Cooperage hired Marion Ghiringhelli to join its sales team, in a new position handling oak alternative products. …

After seven years with the Napa Valley Vintners, Terry Hall announced he is leaving to start his own communications, branding and event planning business called TH|ink. …

Sonoma Clean Power is a program being developed by the Sonoma County Water Agency to purchase electricity for Sonoma County customers.

This program has multiple benefits and risks, is complex and not well-understood by Sonoma County residents and businesses.

In order to help the North Bay Business Journal readers understand the various aspects of Sonoma Clean Power, the Journal is partnering with the Sonoma County Water Agency to publish a series of articles discussing the various aspects of this effort.

SANTA ROSA — The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors today voted unanimously to create an initial governing authority for a proposed countywide renewable energy-focused power agency known as Sonoma Clean Power, a step needed before determining rates to charge potential customers when service is targeted to begin in early 2014.

SEBASTOPOL — The Palm Drive Healthcare District unanimously approved the transition of medical clinic operations across from the 37-bed hospital to the Prima Medical Foundation, a move that could help bolster finances for the cash-strapped hospital.

SANTA ROSA — Sutter Health will expand its Advanced Illness Management initiative into Sonoma County, marking the fist major expansion of the program that focuses heavily on late-stage chronic illness and best treatment options for such conditions.

Here is a look at some of the regional measures and tax initiatives recently passed.

On Oct. 29, 1975, the New York Daily News carried this headline after President Gerald Ford gave a speech denying federal assistance to keep New York out of bankruptcy: “Ford to City: Drop Dead.”

For Santa Rosa and its 13-year effort to rebuild Railroad Square, the headline could read: “Gov. Brown and Sacramento to Santa Rosa: Drop Dead.”

FAIRFIELD — The five privately operated hospitals in Solano County make up more than 11 percent of the local economy, making health care a key driver that could be even more important in the future, according to a new study that details the economic impact of Solano County’s hospitals.

SANTA ROSA — A $40 million project near Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport that would convert agricultural waste such as chicken manure into natural gas, electricity and certified-organic fertilizer has run afoul of the 2013 expiration of a federal renewable-energy incentive said to be crucial to the economics of the venture.

Bank of Marin has announced management promotions in its five southern Marin branches: Jackie Williams, Stephanie Kelsey, Heidi Duckor, Renee Rymer, Jon O’Halloran and Linda Lippstreau. …

The county of Marin approved more than $600,000 to add eight psychiatrists to the county’s Health and Human Services mental health and substance abuse program. …

Colleen Ryan has joined Wells Fargo Insurance Services in Petaluma as an account executive in personal lines. …

Community Foundation Sonoma County appointed Elizabeth Brown as its new president and CEO. …

Equity Solar, Inc., a San Aneslmo-based company that commercializes solar photovoltaic technology, appointed David Maloney, Ph.D., to its board of directors. …

SANTA ROSA — As a 13-year project to transform the historic yet vacant cannery area around a planned downtown commuter-train station reaches a critical point to start construction next year or lose critical funding, the city of Santa Rosa plans to plead its case in Sacramento later this month for the release of redevelopment funds considered key to starting the $200 million-plus project.

NAPA COUNTY — As planners in Napa County continue development of a strategy to address state-mandated reductions to greenhouse gas emissions, industry groups have expressed concern that a proposed local market for carbon credits will increase costs for developers and suppress new vineyard and agricultural projects in the region.

The Meritage Medical Network, formerly known as the Marin-Sonoma IPA, has officially made known its plan to earn accountable care organization, or ACO, designation by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act of 2010. …

Mendocino Coast District Hospital, a 25-bed nonprofit critical access facility, is seeking bankruptcy court protection from creditors as it seeks to reorganize its debts while keeping the doors open. …

Evan Rayner, Healdsburg District Hospital chief executive officer, is stepping down from his position, according to the North Sonoma County Healthcare District, which owns and operates the 43-bed hospital. …

On Nov. 6, Marin County voters will be deciding whether to approve Measure A, the Marin Parks, Open Space and Farmland quarter-cent sales tax measure. On Aug. 7, after a series of public meetings, a public opinion survey, a recommendation from the County Parks and Open Space Commission and at the urging of community groups [...]

With a steady increase in import-export activities by a growing number of companies and manufacturers in North Bay, the Port of San Francisco has approved eligibility for the expansion of the boundaries of its existing Foreign Trade Zone No. 3 to encompass much of Sonoma County, part of Napa County and all of Marin, Solano and Contra Costa counties.

Supporters of a proposed half-cent sales tax for road repairs in Napa County are optimistic that voters will approve the measure this November, six years after a broader measure failed at the ballot box amid arguments that funds would flow to projects beyond the county’s ailing rural roads.

Officials in North Bay counties have long been aware of the looming road-quality problem, yet traditional revenue streams for road repair have significantly diminished in recent years.

Vote in this week’s NBBJ Pulse Poll: “Do you support a local sales tax to fund road repairs?”

Congratulations to a majority of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors — Valerie Brown, David Rabbitt and Efren Carrillo — for sticking up for the 85 percent.