The regular meeting of the San Lorenzo Village Homes Association Board of Directors was held Thursday, April 20, 2000 at 7:30 p.m. in the auditorium with President Partridge presiding over the meeting.

1.1 CALL TO ORDER - President Partridge called the meeting to order.

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

1.3 ROLL CALL - Directors Dorothy Partridge, Jim Spears, Jim Sherman, David Sloan and Pat Pebelier were present.

1.4 Resolution in honor of Redwood Christian High-School Girl's Basketball Team - Director Sherman presented the resolution to the Redwood Christian High School Girl's Basketball Team and their coach - see attached.

2.0 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING -

2.1 Approval of Minutes of Meeting No. 1035, Thursday, March 16, 2000 - Director Spears made motion to approve the minutes, with a second by Director Sloan, motion passes unanimously.

3.0 COMMENTS FROM PUBLIC AGENCIES -

3.1 Alameda County Sheriff's Department - Deputy Terri Langdon reported for the Community Policing Unit. She stated that within the last month the deputies have held five (5) service organization group talks. These included a senior meeting, a health fair, Little League opening day and a preschool presentation to the children and parents. Langdon stated that the response at these meetings from residents has been positive. They have conveyed to the deputies that they have seen an increase in patrol units on the street as well as a decrease in graffiti. The Community Policing deputies are also visiting merchants. This past month they had nine (9) merchants visits where they go to a business site, introduce themselves, meet the managers and offer security surveys. Langdon stated that the deputies will try and visit at least ten (1 0) businesses a month. She stated that her unit is also trying to identify neighborhood watch captains in the area, so that the deputies can organize a National Night Out just for San Lorenzo. Langdon stated that auto thefts have increased in San Lorenzo and she would be forwarding a letter to the neighborhoods where these are occurring offering assistance to set up a Neighborhood Watch Group.

Deputy Lind reported on the crime statistics for the past month. He stated that stolen vehicles were up 118 %; recovery of stolen vehicles was also up 150%, robbery was down 28%, residential burglaries were down 20%; auto burglaries were up 68%. Lind stated that the most popular cars being stolen are Honda Accords and Toyota Camrys.

Lind reported that they held a community meeting on April 5, 2000 which dealt with youth gangs and the attendance was fairly good. The next meeting will be held on May 3, 2000 and will discuss dispatching. Robert Bassett, Supervisor of dispatch, will outline what type of calls are called in and what to expect from a dispatcher. Lind invited all residents to attend and stated that he had flyers for anyone who is interested.

3.2 CHP - Officer Schmeck reported on the statistics for the month of March. Parking tickets for the entire unincorporated area were 259, 31 of those in San Lorenzo; there were 319 fix-it tickets written for the entire Hayward area. There were 985 tickets issued for moving violations, of those 181 were in San Lorenzo. There were 100 traffic collisions for the entire unincorporated area, only 16 of those in San Lorenzo. Schmeck stated that DUI arrests were up from 104 in February to 131 in March. Vehicles towed or impounded numbered 178, 24 of those in San Lorenzo.

Officer Tuazon reported that the CHP surveys are in and he encouraged residents to take the time to fill these out. Tuazon stated that he will be bringing these surveys to each public meeting they attend. He said on April 2nd of this past month, a child attending Bohannon Middle School was killed in a bike accident, and this child was not wearing a helmet. Tuazon stated that his department is trying to crack down on children not wearing helmets. Their department would be participating in bicycle rodeos again this year at local elementary schools.

Director Spears asked how a neighborhood can get speed humps on their street. Tuazon stated that Bob Preston, County Traffic Engineer should be contacted and he will direct the neighborhood captain to go to the Library to review the traffic calming measures in the "Drive 25" program. It takes 2/3 of the residents to agree to a calming measure, and then in the case of speed humps, it takes an agreement from the homeowner in front of the speed hump to agree to having placement in front of his or her residence.

3.3 Supervisor Gail Steele - Supervisor Steele invited Board members and residents to come out to honor children who have died by violence at a ceremony, next Friday, April 28, 2000.

Director Partridge asked Steele what the status of the Theater was. Steele stated that she had asked Daryl Gray about this earlier in the week and he was looking at paint colors. She had also spoken with the Theater Association to see what ideas they had for the colors. She would get back with President Partridge before finalizing the colors for the painting of the theater.

Mrak asked the status of the house on the corner of Via Alamitos and Grant which is owned by the county. Steele said she talked to county staff and they are having a problem locating a contractor with the experience needed to work on the house. She stated that she knows of one (1) contractor who can do the work and she will explore how to get him involved if he is available.

4.0 PUBLIC COMMENTS -

Dave Sherman introduced Greg Luey, the manager of Albertsons and his assistant manager, Christine Duran. Luey stated that Albertsons wants to increase its contact with the community and become more involved in events/meetings/etc. He stated that he will be placing "Comment Cards" in the San Lorenzo store as well as the Association office for comments as to how his store and employees are serving the area. He encouraged residents to take the time to fill out these cards. Luey stated that he will be attending various community meetings, trying to get resident's input. He stated that Albertsons has a duty and responsibility to serve the community and it is his intention to make sure that the store does this.

Resident Ron Groves stated that he would suggest that Albertsons needs to solicit opinions from customers as they leave the store to see how to improve the store. He also suggested that Luey attend the Business Development Committee for its input.

Duran reported that Albertsons is trying to reach out to non-profits and schools in the area to sell script in order for these organizations to make money. The program is all free of charge, there is a card that is used when groceries are purchased. At the end of the quarter a check is sent out to the organization based upon the amount of merchandise purchased within that quarter.

Resident Ann Marie Mrak encouraged volunteers to participate in the Christmas in April Program on April 29, 2000. She stated that both skilled and unskilled labor is needed and distributed a sign up sheet for those interested. Director Spears stated that he would participate.

Resident Travis Thoms asked who goes to check on homes when there is a complaint. The Administrator stated that her off ice staff is responsible for doing this. Thoms suggested that Directors go out and patrol the areas to help with the complaint process. The Administrator stated that the Directors bring back many complaints to staff regarding properties already.

Resident Harry Curiett stated that he and Mr. Gomes had met with the Board and its attorney earlier this month and has yet to hear anything. He wanted to know the status of the attorney's response to that meeting. Director Partridge stated that the attorney would contact him in a timely fashion.

5.0 FINANCIAL REPORT

5.1 Approval of March 2000 Expenditures - Director Sloan moved with a second by Director Sherman, that the Board approve the expenditures for March 2000. The motion was passed unanimously.

5.2 Discussion of Significant Variances - The Administrator said that there were no significant variances to report.

6.0 LIEN AND VIOLATION REPORT - The Administrator reported that nine (9) liens have been released, and currently there are 240 cases open.

Inoperable/Unlicensed vehicle in front or side yard area   19
Recreational vehicle in front or side yard area             9
General Maintenance of property                            40
Vehicle parked on lawn or other unpaved area                1
Others                                                      9
Total Number of Letters Sent in March 2000                 78

7.1 Business Development Committee (BDC)/appointments -

Kathie Ready gave a report on the last BDC meeting. She stated that the committee discussed the redevelopment meeting held in the Community Hall. Those in attendance were in agreement of redevelopment for the area. The subcommittee targeting problem commercial areas stated that the group needs to follow up with County Zoning staff, Stacy Sorenson to see what the status of the Bockman shopping center is with respect to the cargo trailers. The subcommittee responsible for highlighting businesses in the Village Square got several suggestions for businesses that could be highlighted in the next Village Briefs. Ready reported that the Christmas in April Program will be going on for three weekends, starting on 4/22 through 5/7. The actual day will be on April 29th when a majority of the work will be done. It was noted that there may be a problem with the number of students participating due to issues of liability.

The group discussed the motion it sent to the Board regarding the colors for the Lorenzo Shopping Center. The BDC sent a motion to the Board on this subject which was completely ignored, and another motion was made by the Board and voted upon on this same issue. The committee members felt that there was a lack of communication between the members of the committee and the Association Board. A consensus was made by the committee to continue presenting its motions in its meeting minutes in bold type and to recommend to the Board that it agendize the BDC motions on its Board agendas in addition to the Chair of the BDC formally reading the motions in hislher monthly report to the Board.

The committee asked as to whether the owner had been contacted with respect to the Board's decision on the colors at its March meeting. A motion was made by Thoms to suggest to the Board of Directors that no communication be made to the owner and/or architect, regarding the roof color of the Lorenzo Manor Shopping center until such time that all the facts could be reviewed. The motion was seconded. Thoms noted that if this information has already been conducted that the motion be withdrawn. The motion passed unanimously.

The group discussed the rental properties in San Lorenzo. It was pointed out that for many of these landlords these properties are a money making business reaping tax benefits with no duty to maintain the upkeep. It was suggested that the group be able to treat these landlords in the same way it would treat a business that is not maintaining its property. It was suggested that the committee discuss the problem with the Association Board and the Administrator as to whether anything could be done about these landlords.

Groves made a motion to ask permission from the Association Board of Directors for the BDC to scrutinize rental properties as businesses and to look into what could be done to make landlords improve the upkeep of these properties. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously by the BDC.

7.2 Task force for Village Square - Ready reported that some interesting pictures were presented to the committee showing some Victorian style buildings that may fit in with the plan for the Village Square. There seems to be great concern as to what types of businesses will ultimately be solicited into the Square. The county has suggested to the Bohannon Organization that it attract more upscale businesses to the Square. The Plan had been completed and would be coming out within the next month or two for comment.

7.3 Procedure for Business Development Committee's recommendations to the Board - Director Partridge asked how the committee wanted its motions specifically addressed at the Board meetings. Ready stated that the BDC would like the its motions addressed first on the agenda, prior to any Board vote on a similar item. She would like the motions summarized on the agenda under the Business Development Reports. Partridge stated that the only concern she would have is that the agenda length needs to be one page and not more. Ready suggested that the agenda merely list the number of motions the committee is sending to the Board for that month and then the Board can address each of those specifically at the meeting. The Administrator noted that the agenda should contain an item that would address "any" of the BDC's recommendation to the Board.

Director Partridge stated that the Administrator had already communicated with the county regarding the Board's motion on the color for the shopping center. The Administrator stated that originally the county had contacted the Association notifying it of a hearing regarding the colors and asking that the Board bring its recommendation back to the county. The BDC did review this issue and the Administrator conveyed its concerns about the proposed colors to the Board. The recommendation was made to the county from the Board and not to the owner. Along with this recommendation was the idea that the owner provide a sample of the "terra cotta" red approved by the Board so that it can see that it is the color they approved.

Groves questioned whether the county has not passed the issue of color of the center back to the BDC meeting to review again. Ready stated that several BDC members were at the last site review meeting and they asked the owner and her architect to bring a sample of the color to the next BDC meeting so that it could see what the actual color will be. She stated that the Wherehouse will not be painted along with the rest of the center, until after its lease expired. Any recommendations on the sample color would be brought back to the Board for its approval.

Director Partridge stated that she did not think the Association could treat landlords different than homeowners who occupied their residences. The Administrator stated that the complaints that the office gets on homeowner occupied properties versus rental properties are the same type of complaints. The Association sends out notices to both the tenants as well as the landlord when are are CC&R violations at a property. She stated that the Association has taken the landlords to court on properties and that generally the rental properties have corrected violations more quickly due to the fact that they threaten evicting the tenants if they do not clear a violation.

Groves stated that there are a couple of properties on his street where the tenants are afraid to complain to the landlords regarding upkeep due to the fear of a rental increase. He stated that the house across the street from him, although it looks fine from the front, has weeds and rats in the back yard, and the garage is filled with all kinds of debris. He would like to see the Association have some say in the condition of these properties, prior to it getting bad. The Administrator stated that we do send letters to owners and tenants, the Association has no say about the back yards, but if a home is in such bad condition, the office should be contacted so that we can follow up. The Administrator stated that she welcomes anyone reviewing the CC&R process and she is opened to suggestions for improvement for enforcement.

Director Spears stated that it would be difficult to separate rental properties from owner occupied properties. The Administrator stated that the basis for the Association going to court is what are in the CC&R's. The Association has no say over what someone keeps in his or her garage or what is in his or her backyard. The county also has no control over the back yard unless there is a health hazard or a fire hazard. Supervisor Steele stated that she could check with county counsel to see what the county or the community can legally do with respect to these properties and she will report back at the next Business Development Committee. The Administrator stated that she would like to speak with county counsel as well regarding some of the ongoing problem properties that we have had to see if there is more that can be done.

The Board made the following responses to the BDC motions as follows:

The Board agreed to agendize the BDC motions.

Thoms motion regarding contacting the owners of the Lorenzo Manor Shopping Center was moot due to the fact that the county had already been contacted.

Groves motion regarding rental property owners being treated as businesses.

Director Sherman made a motion that the Board vote against Grove's motion until the Business Development Committee can discuss this issue further at its next meeting and bring back another motion to the Board which incorporates all properties in San Lorenzo. Pebelier seconds the motion. The motion passes unanimously.

8.0 ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT

8.1 Redevelopment Update - The Administrator stated that Eileen Dalton is on vacation this week, however since the town hall meeting between the Association and Planning Staff there have been 55 responses to the survey. Forty-four were in favor and ten were against with one unsure. The Administrator stated that a majority of the responses have been in favor of the redevelopment. She stated that the office just received two (2) books regarding the preliminary plan. Anyone interested can read the office copy and/or the copy that is in the San Lorenzo Library. Comments on the plan are due by the 10th of May, however the Board of Supervisors will not be voting on the plan until June so the Association Board can discuss the issue further at its May meeting.

Resident Ready stated that she was bothered by the statistics used in the report. She stated that the report is using 1989 statistics for our area which do not give a clear picture of what the San Lorenzo population is today. She encouraged all who read the document to look at these statistics very carefully.

8.2 Report on Fines - The Administrator said the Association initiated the fines five (5) years ago. The thought in developing a fine policy was not to generate income for the Association, but rather to encourage homeowners to clean up a violation more quickly with the threat of a fine imposed on them. She stated that she looked at the statistics for fines for last year and stated that the association wrote a total of 857 letters to homeowners. She was not able to break those down into first, second and third letters, however a total of seventeen (17) were referred to the attorney, which is a small percentage. However, she noted that prior to referring a case to the attorney, a fine letter and third final letter are sent to the homeowner asking them to clean up the violation or they will be fined and possibly referred to our attorney. The Administrator stated that of the 17 we referred to the attorney, seven (7) of the homeowners paid their fine and resolved the violation. Of the other ten (1 0), half of them resolved the violation so the office did not collect the fines. It can be very expensive to collect the fine, even in small claims court, and the purpose of the Association in instituting a fine policy was to get the homeowner to clean up the violation, which in these cases had been achieved. The Administrator stated that there are about a half a dozen of those who have been referred to the attorney and have still not cleared up the violations. These difficult cases may be ones in which the county could be of assistance to us through county counsel.

Resident Ready questioned whether the fine could be increased. The Administrator stated that she would look into increasing the violation fine to $100. The key to the fine is that by law it must be "reasonable", she does not see why $100 would not be a reasonable amount and will check into this and report back at another meeting.

9.O OTHER BUSINESS -

9.1 Final Budget Approval - The Administrator stated that she had received no response to the draft budget. She pointed out that the Board had discussed an amendment to the draft budget as follows:

The Board had committed to raising $4,000 for the expensive of the playground which would need to comply with the year 2000 regulations. The Board decided it would give up its $50.00 monthly reimbursement for each director's mileage and other expenses for the 2000/2001 fiscal year. This would leave only $1,000 additional funds needed for the playground.

Director Sherman made a motion to approve the final budget with the amendment. Sloan seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

9.2 Resolution regarding signature of checks - The Administrator stated that currently she has authority to sign the checks up to $2000 worth of expenses, she would like to increase this amount to $2500, to increase the efficiency of processing many checks. - See attached resolution. She reminded the Board that it gets monthly financial statements showing all checks that have been processed.

Director Spears made a motion to approve the resolution, Director Pebelier seconds. The motion is carried unanimously.

10.0 COMMITTEE REPORTS

10.1 Youth Resources Committee - Director Partridge had no report.

10.2 Airport Committees - No report.

10.3 Council on the Prevention of Drinking and Driving - Director Spears stated that the group is getting ready to set up a booth at San Leandro's Cherry Festival which will be held at the San Leandro Marina the first week in June. He encouraged residents to attend.

11.0 PUBLIC COMMENT -

Frances Nelson stated that the Bohannon Organization would be willing to donate the additional $1000 needed to upgrade the playground on the Association grounds.

Resident Howard Beckman stated that he was very upset about the redevelopment process. He felt that the county is railroading the process. He did not feel the issues have been properly addressed and felt that there has not be substantive debate on the subject.

Ready objected to Beckman's comments on Redevelopment stating that she feels the process has had adequate time for public comment and questions both for and against the project. She encouraged the residents to read as much about the project as possible to get an informed opinion either for or against it.

The Administrator stated that she has a video on Redevelopment which address some of the negatives of the project and asked residents to call her if they are interested in reviewing the video.

Director Partridge stated that there have been two town hall meetings already, and there are plans for more and asked residents to attend.

12.0 COMMENTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS

Director Spears commended resident Anne Marie Mrak for her community participation. He stated that she lives in a cul-de-sac and takes care of all her neighbor's lawns.

Director Pebelier wished all a Happy Holiday.

13.0 ADJOURNMENT - Director Partridge adjourned the meeting at 10:15 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Jim Spears
Secretary-Treasurer

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