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MINUTES
SAN LORENZO VILLAGE HOMES ASSOCIATION
MEETING NO. 1049
March 15, 2001
The regular meeting of the San Lorenzo Village Homes Association Board of Directors was held Thursday, March 15, 2001.
1.1 CALL TO ORDER - President Jim Sherman called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.
1.2 SALUTE TO THE FLAG - President Sherman led the Board and the audience in the pledge of allegiance.
1.3 ROLL CALL - Directors Jim Sherman, Pat Pebelier ,David Sloan, Kathie Ready and Enrique Barboza were present.
2.O MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING - Sloan moved to approve the minutes from the February Meetings, No. 1046, 1047 and 1048 Director Pebelier seconds the motion. The minutes are approved unanimously.
3.0 COMMENTS FROM PUBLIC AGENCIES
3.1 Alameda County Sheriff's Department - Langdon stated that at the last Community Policing Meeting there was a low turn-out. She will be distributing flyers to more businesses in the area to try and encourage attendance. The next meeting in April will discuss graffiti.
Landgon introduced Sgt. Buchanan who oversees the Student Resource Officer Program (SRO) and the DARE program. Sgt. Buchanan stated that he came to address a few issues that came up at the last Association Board Meeting. The Student Resource Officers are not authorized to go into the student dances. The School Administrators are responsible for chaperoning inside the dances, the SROs are to patrol the exterior area of where the dances are being held. Their main objective is to keep people out of the dance who do not belong there and to keep the school safe while the dance is going on. Buchanan stated that there have been several arrests by SRO officers outside the dances. Buchanan stated that as far as reports of arrests at past school carnivals. He stated that none of his deputies were asked for these reports. He said that when he researched whether there had been any arrests while these carnivals were taking place he found that last year there was one (1) arrest to an individual for being drunk in public.
Deputy Jim Jukich gave the following crime statistics:
Stolen Autos 5 Stolen Auto Attempts 1 Auto burglaries 14 Armed Robberies 1 Grand Theft 2 Residential Burglaries 3 Graffiti reports 9
Jukich said that he was working on a tobacco sting in the unincorporated area and found that none of the San Lorenzo stores his department targeted were selling to minors. There were ten (10) stores total in the unincorporated area that were found to be in violation and selling to minors.
It was questioned as to who is responsible for cleaning up the graffiti. Jukich stated that the property owner is responsible for cleaning up the property. The owner should call in a report to the Sheriff's Department, so that if the individuals are caught they can prosecute them and potentially be reimbursed for the damage done.
The Administrator stated that at the Sheriff's Advisory Meeting it was suggested that a subcommittee be formed to deal with these youths that are tagging the unincorporated area. Members on this committee would include, school personnel, probation, the sheriff's department and other county agencies.
Director Ready questioned why the utility boxes have not been cleaned up in the ally behind the Association office. Jukich stated that he would meet with PGE and the telephone company to try and get these cleaned up.
Resident Keith Barros asked Jukich to also look into the Hot Tropic building on Hesperian which is covered in graffiti.
3.2 CHP - The CHP provided February Traffic /Parking statistics for as follows: (See Attached Item A).
Officer Dowle stated that the CHP has been issuing citations connected to it neighborhood pedestrian grant. There were 263 citations issued in the unincorporated area with funds from this grant, 161 of those which were in San Lorenzo.
Officer Plant reported that the CHP has started being proactive in area neighborhoods, targeting random block areas looking for blight issues such as abandoned vehicles and various parking violations. Officer Plant stated that the Pedestrian Safety Grant is going well. He encouraged more residents to call in any problems related to pedestrian safety issues.
A resident asked if the CHP could patrol the area on Bockman in front of the Bohannon Middle school during the time period the student are let out of classes for the day. He stated that the students make it very hard for traffic to flow, especially on Via Arriba and Bockman. Plant stated that he will focus on this area to try and help with the problem.
Resident Howard Beckman questioned why the CHP is suddenly doing neighborhood sweeps now, and why this wasn't a regular practice before. Plant stated that this was Officer Dowle's idea which he had seen practiced in another area. The CHP is currently trying to be more proactive and thus Officer Dowle's idea was implemented. He stated that sectors will be targeted at least two (2) times a year, balancing this duty among other officer responsibilities. Director Sloan questioned how trucks parked on Grant Ave should be reported. Officer Plant stated that reporting the license plate and the carrier name are important as well as a description of the truck. If a resident gets the time that the truck is parked in the area on a daily basis they can pursue the truck. The CHP can also forward a letter to the company regarding the violation.
3.3 Supervisor Steele - Steele reported that she has been working with the property owner of the Lorenzo Manor Shopping center, Lisa Lo. She did not have any positive answers regarding the status of the old KFC building. County staff has not given her a definitive answer as to what can be done in order to raze the building as was agreed upon by the former shopping center owner. Resident Keith Barros questioned whether the building was safe. He stated that in the original agreement with KFC regarding razing the building he thought that it was stated if KFC didn't tear down the building it would eventually fall down. Supervisor Steele stated that she was not aware of this, but would check into it. Another resident asked whether county building inspection has been able to go through the building to make sure it is up to county code regulations. Steele stated that someone from the county would have to go through the buildings in the shopping center. She stated that some permits have been issued by the county for some of the new businesses. The Administrator stated that she went through some of the buildings with county staff that were not up to code, so the county has inspected those that need compliance.
3.4 Youth Advisory Commission - Emmanuel Satingin reported for Tina Cheung. He stated that recently the San Lorenzo School District has received a scholarship from Dell Computers that will allow eight (8) of the Schools in the district to receive desk top computers for their school. This is a ten (10) year program and eventually all schools would be included . Teachers will go through computer training to assist their respective students.
Satingin also reported on the status of the "Maid of San Lorenzo" pageant. He stated that the event would be held at the end of May at the San Leandro Marina Community Center and applications are still being accepted. He further reported that the Youth Commission by-laws are still being reviewed and revised. The Tree Project that the group is proposing is still in its early stages, the commission has recently sent out letters to businesses asking for donations to fund the project.
Director Ready questioned why certain schools were not included, such as Grant, Arroyo High, Bay and others. Satingin replied that he was told the initial schools were picked based on socio-economic levels although all schools would eventually participated within the ten (10) year program. Dell would also replace and repair any computers that were broken and/or missing.
3.5 Public Comment - Resident Howard Beckman questioned when the Board approved a canary yellow house in the association. He stated that it is unclear as to what the Board is approving or not approving with respect to variances that come before it. Beckman stated that a year ago it was mentioned that the Association would have a governing handbook and he has yet to see this come to fruition. He said that he would like residents to have public notification of what is being approved or not approved at the Board Work Sessions.
Resident Keith Barros announced that the Lorenzo Theater Foundation is holding a fund-raiser birthday party Buffet on April 8, 2001. He also stated that the Lorenzo Theater Foundation would be holding its general meeting in the Community Hall on April 4, 2001.
Supervisor Steele reported that the new owner of the Lorenzo Theater has paid all the back taxes on the property.
4.0 FINANCIAL REPORT
4.1 Approval of February 2001 Expenditures - Director Ready moved with a second by Director Sloan that the Board approve the expenditures for February 2001. The motion was passed unanimously.
4.2 Discussion of Significant Variances - The Administrator said that there were no significant variances to report.
5.0 LIEN AND VIOLATION REPORT - The Administrator reported that there have been no liens released, and currently there are 551 cases open.
Inoperable/Unlicenced vehicles in front or side yard 9 Recreational vehicle in front or side yard area 2 General Maintenance of property 12 Vehicle Parked on lawn or other unpaved area 1 Others 9 Total 33
6.1 Business and Community Development Committee's (BCDC) Report and motion for one (1) appointment - See Attached (Item B). Co-president Anne Brichacek reported that Mr. Chau's proposal for a restaurant between McDonalds and Taco Bell on Hesperian Blvd. was reviewed and approved by the Committee. Betty Moose was also nominated to the BCDC as a new member. The Planning Commission for the McMillan property on Grant has been changed to April 2, 2001. The committee discussed starting a committee which would select a home that has been upgraded and honoring it in a "Pride of San Lorenzo Week".
Director Ready makes a motion to accept the nomination of Betty Moose to the BCDC, Director Barboza seconds, the motion passes with the following vote:
Norris Mitchell, the designer for Mr. Chau's Restaurant was present and displayed the building plans for the restaurant. He stated that lighting was an issue for neighbors behind the proposed restaurant so the facility would have low sodium lighting in that area. It was questioned as to how high the wall would be behind the facility and Mitchell stated that it would be a 10 foot wall.
Director Ready made a motion to accept the proposal and the plans for a Mr. Chau's Chinese Restaurant on Hesperian Blvd between Taco Bell and McDonalds, Director Sloan seconds the motion, the motion passes unanimously.
7.0 Administrators Report
7.1 Street Sweeping Signs (Motion required to ticket Mondays for cars not moving for sweeper - The Administrator stated that the county has changed all the signs in Monday's area to reflect what the Association is currently scheduled to sweep. The Administrator suggested the Board implement ticketing that is reflective in these signs. She suggested that the Association first warn the residents in the newsletter and then ticket the following week.
Director Sloan makes a motion to ticket the cars which have not moved according to the signs in Mondays area, Director Ready seconds the motion. The motion carries unanimously.
Sherman said the Association should first warn residents and then institute the tickets. Resident Beckman questions what the motion is about. Director Sherman clarified that the motion related to street sweeping signs in Monday's area. The Administrator noted that the last time the Board discussed this issue they voted to not ticket the area due to the street sweepers inability to get to the entire area as posted.
8.0 OTHER BUSINESS
8.1 Specific Plan discussion relating to height (consensus) - The Administrator stated that at the last Planning Commission meeting there was a concern about the height of the mixed-use buildings that were outlined in the plan. The issue was discussed and it was noted that the average mixed-use building is 50 feet in height. The Bohannon Organization wanted to make a presentation before the Association Board prior to it making a recommendation to the Commission on the height of the buildings.
Scott Bohannon spoke for the Bohannon Organization. He requested that the Board hold off making a decision until plans and heights of mixed use buildings were reviewed thoroughly. Four stories over retail is what the developer would want. Civic Partners had suggested 24 feet retail with apartments on top, and they are willing to make a presentation to the Task Force showing the heights of various projects they have done. Bohannon also suggested that the Board take part in a field trip that would show them what some of the projects look like and he encouraged the Task Force meeting where the heights would be discussed. He stated that if the Board makes a decision tonight on what to recommend for the height it may preclude what some developers are willing to do in the area and limit options. The Administrator stated that it is important that the developer know that the community will not accept any height and that the Board should have the opportunity to review all plans of the various proposals for mix-use.
Director Ready asked if it would be possible for the developer to create a design which would incorporate what the site looks like now in comparison to what it would look like with the mixed-use development. Bohannon stated that they are willing to try but he is not sure that the designer would comply. They will be talking about heights as related to the area and the project.
Director Sloan asked how other shopping centers make it without residential over the retail. Bohannon stated that a lot of this was discussed at the Specific Task Force meetings, however most of the projects of that kind have more area and multiple large anchor tenants. Retail with residential provides subsidy for businesses.
Director Sloan further questioned what the Bohannon Organization has looked at in terms of businesses for the Village Square are since the moratorium was lifted last March. Bohannon stated that they had looked at moving Albertsons to the area, but for the most part they have been in a holding pattern due to the Specific Plan. The Organization wants to bring something in which will be better for San Lorenzo and benefit the community.
Director Sherman stated that prior to making a recommendation on the height of a mixed-use building for the area he would like to review the proposal(s).
The consensus of the board was to hold off making a motion on the height prior to receiving more information from the developer.
8.2 Discussion of County Utility Tax funds used for incorporation study of Castro Valley (motion) - The Administrator asked Supervisor Steele if she had an update on this issue. Steele stated that she currently had no staff report and does not know when it would go before the Board.
The Administrator stated that we were promised that these funds would be distributed as follows: 50% to the sheriff; 20% to County Planning and 30% to the library. The Administrator stated that she thought the portion of funds to the planning department would be used for zoning enforcement, and if that is what was voted for, then residents should urge the county to spend the money accordingly, but if the funds were not specified for zoning then they could potentially be used for planning purposes such as a study of incorporation.
Resident Keith Barros asked where the $100,000 came for the Specific Plan. The Administrator stated that it came from the Planning Department. The Administrator said that Castro Valley has had several plans, versus areas like Ashland which has had one and Cherryland which has not had any.
8.3 Motion to appoint Pat Pebelier and Kathie Ready to serve in County Redevelopment Committee - Director Sloan makes a motion to appoint Director Pebelier and Director Ready to serve on the county's Redevelopment Committee, Barboza seconds, the motion carries unanimously.
8.4 Draft Budget for FY 2001-2002 - The Administrator outlined the following highlights on the proposed budget for fiscal year 2001-02: There would be no increase in assessments for the year 2002; We are projecting hall rentals and transfer fees to increase by $11,000. The Board is recommending an increase in staff for a part time person to help with the CC&R enforcement. The Board would like to purchase a new street sweeper and wants to keep the old sweeper for back up during the winter months. The entire draft budget will be published by the end of March in the Association newsletter for all residents to review. Any comments and/or questions will be brought back to the next Board Meeting for discussion.
Resident Barros questioned about the part time employee for CC&R enforcement. He thought that the county would be helping the Association out with enforcement. The Administrator stated that the CC&R committee had suggested making enforcement a high priority and had recommended additional staff. The Association will still be working with the county on problem areas. The part time person would assist with identifying problem properties and then entering data into the computer.
Resident Howard Beckman stated that he had questioned information about CC&R enforcement last year which was not forthcoming and he would like the information this year.
9.0 PUBLIC COMMENT
Deputy Jukich stated that he would take care of the graffiti on the Lorenzo Theater as well as on the utility boxes behind the Fire Station and the Homes Association grounds.
10.0 COMMITTEE REPORTS
10.1 Airport Committees - No report.
10.2 Council on the Prevention of Drinking and Driving - No report.
11.0 COMMENTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS - None.
12.0 ADJOURNMENT - President Sherman adjourned the meeting at 9:43 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Pat Pebelier
Secretary-Treasurer
Recorded & Transcribed By: Kathleen Harrigan, Sr. Admin. Assistant
Reviewed By: Nancy Van Huffel, Administrator