Los Banos Rotary Club History
City Clerk Reports On Local Government

Mike Dambrosio, Los Banos city clerk and city administrator, Tuesday of last week gave members of the local Rotary Club an interesting report of city government, its functions, activities, and plans for the future.
After tracing briefly the provisions of California law under which municipalities operate, Dambrosio reviewed local governmental functions and praised this city as "one of the finest" in California.

He called attention to the fact the city operates on a minimum tax rate; has no bonded indebtedness; has a well-planned program for the future development; a modern, efficient water plant and distribution system; a satisfactory municipal airport; good, well shaded and well lighted streets; are developing a community wide playground and park plan.

Commenting on the city water system, Dambrosio said the city is accomplishing the gradual expansion of the system without necessity of other funds, and told of the new deep well and pump being installed in Fairgrounds Park, which will supplement the present supply and should prove sufficient for the city's growing needs for the next several years. In the past seven years, Dambrosio said, the city has spent $154,000 in capital improvement of the water system—all from water revenue.

Regarding the city street program, Dambrosio said Los Banos streets are conceded by the State Department of Public Works to be among the best of any community of its size in California—yet a recent engineering survey showed that it will require almost $320,000 to bring all of our streets up to a satisfactory standard. He also called attention to the reconstruction of the two blocks of alleyway between I and J st. and said this type of alley improvement will be continued throughout the major business district as rapidly as funds can be made available.

One of the things the stranger praises most about Los Banos, Dambrosio said, is the well shaded streets, made possible through the years by a well-planned, progressive tree program in which the city plants new trees each year as needed. They also maintain trees, watering, spraying and pruning as needed. The project is one that each year requires more money and more attention, but which pays off in overall results. The Davies tree surgeons say that Los Banos has the best tree program and best system of maintenance of any city of our size in the state.

Biggest headache at moment, Dambrosio says, is the city sewer system, and need for modernization of the sewer farm. He said the city is continuing to lick the problem of sewer odors within the city, and is hopeful that the situation will be remedied this year. This is mostly due, he said, because the recent construction of the new trunkline sewer provided for eventual future expansion needs and at present does not carry enough water to wash out the solids in the line. He emphasized that this is not a health problem, but merely an undesirable "smell" problem.

Dambrosio also praised the local police and fire departments, commending the police department for a capable impartial job of enforcement, and for holding down petty crime that is so prevalent in most cities; and the fire department for handling fire protection services on a voluntary basis that saves the city thousands of dollars each year.

January 14, 1955

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