Black Lives Matter as Government Speech
In June 2020, communities across California and the world protested and mourned the nationally recognized acts of violence against Black lives.
Designing Cities with Birds and Stargazers in Mind
Cities across California are adopting measures to ensure buildings do not pose threats to bird safety, often pairing these measures with those that reduce sources of nighttime light pollution.
Optimizing the Siting and Design of Distributed Energy Resources
Utilities provide integration capacity maps that can help customers and developers optimize the placement of distributed energy resources like solar generation and electric vehicle chargers. The California Public Utilities Commission recently decided to require improvements to the maps, which will unlock new uses that can aid public agencies’ decarbonization efforts.
When Does Civic Discourse Cross the Line to Harassment?
Public agencies must walk a careful line in trying to police expressions of public opinion, even when members of the public target officials and employees as proxies for their frustration. This article discusses how to keep civic engagement constructive while protecting officials and employees from harassment.
Trail Improvement and Joint Use Agreement
On behalf of the City of Cupertino, the firm negotiated an agreement between the City and the Santa Clara Valley Water District for the improvement and joint use of a pedestrian and bike path along Regnart Creek.
Complex Construction Project Negotiations
The firm is assisting the Transbay Joint Powers Authority (TJPA) in negotiations with an adjoining landowner and its design professionals and construction contractors to relocate the ventilation system for the underground levels of the Salesforce Transit Center to accommodate a high rise building project adjacent to the Transit Center. Funds received will support construction of […]
SMW Defends Sign Ordinance
The Ninth Circuit rejects a billboard developer’s challenge to Alameda County’s sign ordinance and upholds a rare award of attorneys’ fees to a prevailing defendant on the grounds that the lawsuit was frivolous. (Citizens for Free Speech, LLC v. County of Alameda, 953 F.3d 655 (9th Cir. 2020).)
Successful Construction Defect Litigation Settlement
On behalf of the City of Half Moon Bay, the firm successfully settled a construction defect litigation case regarding a cracked pedestrian trail/bike path. The City recovered close to $500,000 from its public works and construction management contractor and its construction contractor’s surety to fund repair and reconstruction of the trail.
Property Purchase, Bridge Provide Needed Link Between State and Regional Parks In Alameda County
After assisting the Tri-Valley Conservancy (TVC) in 2009 in acquiring a key linkage between Del Valle State Park and Sycamore Grove Park in Livermore, the firm advises TVC in 2019 with funding, contracting, and construction of a bridge crossing to provide critical and accessible outdoor recreational opportunities to Livermore and Alameda County residents.
Non-Profit Compliance with Public Contracting Laws
The firm provides ongoing advice to California Trout regarding compliance with public contracting and labor and wage laws for state-funded restoration projects.