The regular meeting of the San Lorenzo Village Homes Association Board of Directors was held Thursday, January 20, 2005.

1.1 CALL TO ORDER -- Vice President Jim Sherman called the meeting to order at 7:42 p.m.

1.2 SALUTE TO THE FLAG -- Vice President Sherman led the Board and the audience in the pledge of allegiance.

1.3 ROLL CALL -- Directors Jim Sherman, Pat Pebelier, Peggy Sheridan and Patrick Ledesma were present. Director Kathie Ready was absent.

2.O MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING -- Director Sheridan moved to approve the minutes from the December 17 , 2004, meetings Number 1101. Director Pebelier seconds the motion. The minutes are approved unanimously.

3.0 COMMENTS FROM PUBLIC AGENCIES

3.1 Alameda County Sheriffs Dept. -- Deputy Peterson stated that he did not have a hard copy of statistics for the past month but noted that the Village area still has a high rate of auto burglary. He reminded people to not leave valuables in their cars.

Deputy Peterson reported that two homeless people have been assaulted this past month in San Lorenzo. He stated that leads are being worked on. He asked residents to let the sheriff's department know of any person(s) who they think have problems with homeless and would harm them.

He also reported that they did take care of a house in the Village that was a problem drug house. They are investigating another house and are planning on targeting it within the next few weeks.

Director Ledesma said that he appreciates all the work that the sheriff's office is doing. He noted that his street, Via Alamo, has had vandalism recently and he asked that the sheriffs look into this.

The Administrator asked about a homeowner who was in the process of being robbed and called the sheriff's but stated that they never followed up with her. Peterson stated he would speak with the administrator after his report and get the details so he could follow up with this situation. He noted that if she called 911 it may not have gone to sheriff's dispatch.

3.2 CHP -- Officer De Souza reported the following statistics:

CHP Statistics for December 2004

Infraction               San Lorenzo     Total for Unincorp. area
Collisions                      19                        204
Tickets                        132                      1,197
Parking Tickets                 44                        222
Storage/Impounds                21                        152
Stolen Recoveries                3                         15
Parking Complaints             n/a                       n/a

Total Warnings for Hayward Area CHP:   n/a

Dowling stated that his office is offering free tax assistance for low come individuals who make less than $36,000 per year. Appointments are necessary, and the assistance would be at the Supervior's San Lorenzo office on Thursdays and Fridays from 1 to 5 pm.

3.4 Zoning Enforcement Report -- Bruce Babcock, County Zoning Investigator gave his monthly report. (See Attachment A). He noted that on the cover of this report is information about the new fence height requirements. The county will only approve 6 ft fences in back and side yards. Anything higher, even if it is with lattice material is no longer legal.

3.5 Public Comment - Items not on the Agenda

The Applicant for a proposal to hold church group meetings at the end of Grant Ave came to discuss his proposal with the Board. He stated that his group is with the Manilla Avenue Church Group out of Oakland. They are a very small group of people with a congregation of 30 (thirty individuals). They are applying for a conditional use permit for temporary use of a portable to hold their church meetings there for the next few months. The applicant already leases the property for his business, and stated that he would like the Board's approval for this use until this item goes before the BZA for their approval/disapproval. All the meetings would be conducted at night. This is a temporary meeting place until their application for building a church in Castro Valley is processed and approved.

The Administrator asked if any of the Board members had objections to this temporary use. The Board was concerned that by permitting this use it may set a precedent for use in the zoning of this industrial area. It was asked how the Board could approve this temporary use without allowing a potential for future unintended use. Would a church prohibit what could be done by industry in this area if it is approved? The Board via the Administrator asked the group to come back to the next Association Board meeting where these questions would be researched and answered by zoning staff so that the Board could make an well-informed decision.

4.0 FINANCIAL REPORT

4.1 Approval of Expenditures and discussion of significant variances -- The Administrator reported that we had to buy a new phone system and copier that were both in reserves so no variances were reported for the past month.

Director Pebelier makes a motion to approve the December 2004 expenditures, including payroll, Director Sheridan seconds. The motion carries unanimously.

5.0 LIEN AND VIOLATION REPORT

Year End Violation Report

Number  Violation                              # of Letters

1/19    Inoperable Vehicles in driveway               254
2/22    Recreational veh/trailer in driveway           74
6       Lack of Gen Maintenance                        87
10      Lawn Height                                   219
11      Dead Trees                                      0
12      Overgrown Vegetation                           15
13      Holiday Lights                                 54
15      Building Exterior                              16
16      Dirt Accumulation                              66
17      Attractive Nuisances                           16
18      Lean/miss fence                                 8
20/7    Unpaved parking                                26
21      Working on vehicles                             7
23      Dogs/Cats more than 2                           6
24      Barking dogs                                   21
25      Prohibited animals                              4
26      Excess noise                                    6
27      No Home Business                                3
28/99   Other/ comments                                65
Total                                                 947

6.1 Hearings

a) 16033 Via Media -- Lack of General Maintenance. Owner has agreed to clear violations withing 1 month time. Continued for 30 days.
b) 15865 Paseo Largavista -- Lack of General Maintenance. Trailer removed, all other violations to be resolved within 30 days.
c) 17451 Via Carmen -- Lack of General Maintenance. Trailer and fencing material removed. Violations resolved.
d) 591 Via Acalanes -- Lack of General Maintenance. Boat removed. All violations resolved.
e) 934 Paseo Grande -- Lack of General Maintenance. Vehicles parked on lawn; all violations resolved.
f) 15869 Paseo Largavista -- Lack of General Maintenance. Tarp has been removed; all violations resolved.
g) 654 Via Pacheco -- Lack of General Maintenance. Fine and refer to attorney.

6.2 Variances approved/disapproved at the work session

a) 15812 Via Eduardo -- Addition of porch to front of property with overhang. Board needed clarification of front yard setback prior to approval/disapproval.

Director Sheridan moved to approve the hearing and variance decisions. Director Pebelier seconded. The motion passes unanimously.

7.0 ADMINISTRATORS REPORT

7.1 Oro Loma Update -- The administrator reported that the Association is still having problems in many areas, especially in Friday's area where street sweeping coincides with the garbage pick up. We are faxing complaints to Waste Management every day that we receive them. She has been referred to Dino at Waste Management and they have been playing phone tag all week long. She will report back at next month's meeting on the ongoing status on the garbage pick up.

7.2 Comments -- The Administrator noted that the Association will be celebrating its 60th Anniversary this year. The Board has set a date for a parade and celebration. This would be held on June 4, 2005. Look for more information in the Association Newsletter and at future Board meetings.

8.0 OTHER BUSINESS

8.1 Speed limit on Grant Ave. Between Channel St. and the industrial area (motion required - time agenda item at 7:45 pm) -- Officer Tress reported on the issue. He said the CHP cannot effectively ticket this area unless they raise the speed limit to 35 miles per hours. John Bates, with Alameda County Public works reported that as part of the traffic engineering staff, he has surveyed Grant Avenue for a number of years. One of the things they have found through these surveys are that the West end of Grant Ave near the industrial area has been fairly consistent with speed for several years.

He also stated that the current speed limit falls into what is now considered a "speed trap" due to a lawsuit that was filed down south. The speed limit 4 years ago was 35 miles per hour, which was consistent with what the majority of the cars travel in that area (between 32 to 37 miles per hour), however it was changed 4 years ago to 25 mph.

Director Sherman noted that several years ago the county brought in a survey that showed raising the speed limit in areas is not a deterrent for speeders. He noted that radar cannot be used in this area currently.

Director Pebelier asked why Barrett near Grant does not have a "school zone" posting where radar could be used. The CHP did not know why it was not designated as a school zone. Director Sheridan asked if any tickets can be given in and around that area. Tress stated that tickets can be given but are hard to fight in court without using radar. Sheridan further asked if speed was a problem in that area. Tress said that he was not aware that it was a problem. He handed out information with speeds in that area (See attachment B). Bates noted that the hand out was not a full representation of the area.

The Administrator asked why the Board was being approached now to change the speed limit if it is not considered a "problem area". Bates stated that the county was approached by the enforcement agencies to change it. Tress reported that out of the last 33 tickets given in that area, 19 were challenged in court and all 19 were overturned. Bates said that roughly 90 percent of the people are exceeding the posted speed limit. If the speed limit was increased to 35 miles only 20 percent would be exceeding the speed limit.

Resident Keith Barros could not see why a "school zone" posting could not be done for the area in and around the Kip Charter school area on Grant. The Administrator first expressed that Board Member Kathie Ready, although unable to be present, had wanted her objections to be noted on any increase to the speed limit in this area. She asked the CHP and county staff if there could be a three month trial period on raising the limit to assess whether the change would cause any safety hazards or other issues. Bates said that he was not sure if this could be done, but if it was approved would suggest a longer trial period. Weather, schools in session and longer versus shorter days all play into traffic and pedestrian safety.

Director Ledesma suggested raising the speed limit to 30 miles per hours so that the CHP could ticket more effectively, but not to increase it so high that people would be more apt to increase their speeds in the area. He was also concerned that there was no posted "school zone" for that area. Bates noted that the court has determined what the ultimate speed should be for more effective enforcement. His understanding is the that it should be 35 miles per hour on that stretch of roadway.

Director Ledesma makes a motion to table this item for further discussion at the February 2005 Board meeting to: 1) Review whether other speeds (specifically 30 mph) could be posted in that area that would still help CHP with the enforcement of their tickets and 2) To research whether Grant Ave in and around the Kipp Academy School could be posted as a "school zone" so that the enforcement agencies could use radar in that area without raising the speed limit. Director Sheridan seconds. The motion carries unanimously.

Kevin Dowling stated that he would research getting the area posted as a "school zone". The Administrator noted that she would agendize this item for the February 2005 Board meeting.

8.2 Proposed Casino at the Oakland Airport -- She read a letter from resident Howard Beckman about his objection to discussing this item on the Association's Board agenda (See attachment C).

The Administrator noted that she attended a meeting at the Oakland Hilton Airport on this issue. The casino offered 30 million per year to the surrounding cities. The City of Oakland, the city of Alameda and the Alameda County Supervisors all rejected the proposal. The Administrator noted that Director Ready had wanted it reported that she had no objections to a casino at the Airport. She said that Ready said that it could be allowed whether we want it or not because the federal government could make the final decision.

The Administrator said that this type of establishment would affect San Lorenzo not only by changing county zoning, but also would increase traffic problems and crime in our area. She had done some research on other areas where casinos were allowed in and had reviewed this information with the Board during the work session.

Resident Keith Barros stated that he was not in favor of a casino so close to San Lorenzo. He said that the crime would increase in our area and he did not want that. Director Sherman also said that he would be against any casino at the Oakland Airport for similar reasons.

Director Sheridan makes a motion to direct the Administrator to write a letter voicing the Association Board's objections to this proposal for a casino at the Oakland Airport. Director Ledesma seconds the motion. The motion carries with all 4 board members present, voting in favor.

9.0 PUBLIC COMMENT

A resident wanted to know the status of the Bockman shopping center regarding the sale of the property and any proposed development that may be going on. The Administrator stated that the new developers have purchased the property and they have agreed to meet with the neighbors and will show their proposed plans to the residents when they are ready. The Administrator stated that there would be no low income housing and Bockman would not be closed with the building of any new housing or development.

All surrounding residents would be informed of any meeting with these developers. The Administrator was trying to plan for the first few weeks in February. A notice would come from the Association notifying neighbors of when this meeting would take place.

10.0 COMMITTEE REPORTS

10.1 Airport Committees -- Ernie Delligatti reported that there is now more air traffic over San Lorenzo at a lower altitude. He went and gathered facts and spoke with Supervisor Lai Bitker because the airport was denying this; however the airports own print outs show that in fact the planes are flying lower than normal. He has requested a meeting with Supervisor Lai Bitker and Representative Pete Stark and wanted to give the Board a "heads up" on what is going on. He noted that there is already a noise problem in San Lorenzo and with a shift in altitude the aircrafts would exacerbate the problem. Director Sherman asked if there is anything the Board can do to help Delligatti. He reported that he just wanted to keep the Board apprised as to what was going on and may need a letter or further support in the future. He will report back at a future meeting on the status.

10.2 Library Committee -- There was no report. The Committee meets next month.

11.0 COMMENTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS -- The Board members thanked all residents who attended.

12.0 ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Director Ledesma, with a second from Director Sheridan to adjourn the meeting. Vice President Sherman adjourned the meeting at 9:55 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Pat Pebelier
Secretary-Treasurer

Recorded & Transcribed By: Kathleen Harrigan, Sr. Admin. Assistant
Reviewed By: Nancy Van Huffel, Administrator , Kathie Ready, Board President