The regular meeting of the San Lorenzo Village Homes Association Board of Directors was held Thursday, April 20, 2006.

1.1 CALL TO ORDER -- President Kathie Ready called the meeting to order at 7:37 p.m.

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

1.3 ROLL CALL -- Directors Kathie Ready, Jim Sherman, Wulf Bieschke and Director Patricia Pebelier were present, Patrick Ledesma was absent.

2.O MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING -- Director Pebelier moved to approve the minutes from the March Meeting No. 1123 Director Sherman seconds the motion. The minutes are approved unanimously.

3.0 COMMENTS FROM PUBLIC AGENCIES

3.1 CHP Report -- Officer Hahn gave the following statistics for the past month's tickets/citations:

CHP Statistics for March 2006

                                             Total for
Infraction               San Lorenzo      Unincorp. area
Collisions                       18                173
Tickets                         202              2,207 
Parking Tickets                  67                458   
Storage/Impounds                  6                103    
Stolen Recoveries                 0                 17    
Traffic Complaints                2                  9
Parking Complaints*               3                 14     
DUI Arrests                     n/a                 64   

*Note that these have been redirected to the Sheriff's office.

The residents in attendance stated that they have seen the CHP be more visible on Grant Avenue and thanked the officers.

3.2 Alameda County Sheriff's Dept. -- Deputy Franco reported the following statistics:

Statistics for Alameda County Sheriff's Office March 2006

                                      Change from
Crime                        Number   last month         Affected Streets                    

Stolen vehicles               19          +2
Attempted Stolen Vehicles                                    
Recovered Stolen Vehicles     15          +4             
Residential Burglary           5          +3              
Commercial Burglary            4          -1                                       
Auto Burglary                  8          -1                         
Grand Theft                    1          -7                     
Vandalism/graffiti             1          -1          
Robbery                        3          +1              

Director Ready was concerned with all the graffiti and vandalism she has seen in and around the old Mervyns Square area. She suggested that more patrols be done in and around that area as there were several windows that were broken out over the past weekend.

3.3 Supervisor Lai Bitker -- Staff member Kevin Dowling reported that the upcoming Unincorporated Meeting Agenda would be very full next Wednesday with many important items including the County Budget Overview and the County's Reasonable Accommodations. Director Ready suggested that the the Reasonable Accommodations item be first on the agenda, as it is an important issue and shouldn't be left to the end of the meeting. Dowling stated that he would make this recommendation to Supervisor Miley's office.

3.4 Zoning Enforcement Report -- Zoning Officer Bruce Babcock was not present at the meeting but left his monthly report (See Attachment A).

3.5 Public Comment

Keith Barros of Via Del Sol questioned whether the county is sending out meeting agendas in a timely fashion. He has received a meeting agenda the day before a scheduled meeting. He is concerned this is happening for other meetings as well and he stressed the importance of getting the information out in a timely fashion. Barros also mentioned the vandalism at the Little League and suggested that the Home Association work to help secure a reward for any information about who the vandals were.

Ruben Masa from COMPRE reported that the Bockman 76 gas station is applying for a conditional use permit to sell alcohol. They have had a license to sell alcohol, but no permit for the past 8 years. He encouraged residents to attend the hearing which will be on May 24 at 1 p.m. at the County Publics Works building.

Resident Nancy Shelvy of 1375 Via Faisan commended the Little League volunteers for the upgrades on the park. The garden and the plants make the area look beautiful.

Resident Marvin Kingdom of 16073 Via Alamitos said that his truck was totaled on Via Alamitos parked in front of his residence. The car that hit his vehicle left skid marks of over 50 ft in length. He is concerned about what the Association and the law enforcement officers are doing about this problem. He stated that he does not think that Via Alamitos and his area is being well patrolled.

4.0 FINANCIAL REPORT

4.1 Approval of March 20, 2006 expenditures, including payroll, and discussion of significant variances -- The Administrator note that there were no variances for the month of March.

Director Sherman makes a motion to approved the March 2006 expenditures. Director Pebelier, seconds the motion carries unanimously.

5.0 LIENS AND VIOLATIONS REPORTS -- The Administrator reported there have been no liens released since the March 06 meeting.

March 2006 Violation Report

Number  Violation                              # of Letters

1/19    Inoperable Vehicles in driveway                 15
2/22    Recreational veh/trailer in driveway            10
6       Lack of General Maintenance                      7
10      Lawn Height                                     26
11      Dead Trees                                       0
12      Overgrown Vegetation                             1
13      Holiday Lights                                  27
14      No signs                                         0
15      Building Exterior                                6
16      Dirt Accumulation                                3
17      Attractive Nuisances                             5
18      Lean/miss fence                                  0
20/7    Unpaved parking                                  6
21      Working on vehicles                              1
23      Dogs/Cats more than 2                            0
24      Barking dogs                                     1
25      Prohibited animals                               0
26      Excess noise                                     0
27      No Home Business                                 1
28/99   Other/ comments                                 10
99      Multiple violations                             15
Total                                                  134

6.0 HEARINGS AND VARIANCE ISSUES

6.1 Hearing Dispositions

Revisit the following properties:
a) 17132 Via Anacapa -- No lawn. Owner has installed sprinkler system, revisit in 60 days.
b) 16150 Via Arriba -- Exterior Paint, still no paint since rain. Giving owner 60 days to complete.
c) 17860 Via Segundo -- Stored vehicle in driveway. Gone, closing.
d) 17668 Via Segundo -- Stored Vehicle and cans in driveway. Gone, closing.
e) 15927 Via Cordoba -- Business being run from residence. No more complaints or signs of business, will monitor for the next 60 days.
f) 16142 Via Lupine -- Stored vehicles and debris in front driveway. Debris gone; request that owner submit registration for vehicle still in driveway.

Regular Scheduled Hearings:
1) 18066 Via Rincon -- Lack of General Maintenance, fence in disrepair and house in disrepair. Need to locate owner and talk to county about what they can do; will revisit in 60 days.
2) 16155 Via Segundo -- Home business. Owner came in and has moved all trucks to another residence; all violations cleared, closing.
3) 17400 Hesperian Blvd. -- Parking on lawn. No more parking on lawn.
4) 15724 Paseo Largavista -- Inoperative vehicles. Giving owner 60 days to register and get rid of vehicles.
5) 580 Paseo Del Rio -- Unpaved parking. No more unpaved parking, but asking owner to clarify when his plans for the outside of the house.
6) 15756 Paseo Del Campo -- Lack of General Maintenance, unpaved parking and construction debris. Refer to attorney.
7) 598 Grant Ave. -- Trailer parked in driveway. Refer to attorney.
8) 627 Paseo Grande -- Construction without submitting plans. Owner came in, handicap ramp was discussed and will be taken down when tenants move sometime in August, or board will revisit in August/September 2006.
9) 15865 Paseo Largavista -- Trailer parked at front of property, debris, inoperative vehicle. Trailer to be at property for yard clean up for next 60 days, vehicle to be moved off lawn and registered in 30 days. Revisit in 60 days.
10)15889 Via Del Sol -- Inoperative vehicle. Vehicle removed, closed.
11) 15941 Via Del Sol -- Lack of General Maintenance, debris in front yard. Debris removed, closing.
12) 15973 Via Media -- Lack of General Maintenance, front yard not maintained and inoperative vehicle. Need to revisit in 30 days.
13) 820 Grant Ave. -- Parking on walkway/unapproved area. No more parking on unpaved area, closed.
14) 15855 Paseo Del Campo -- Lack of yard maintenance. Lawn mowed, but need to plant new lawn; will ask owner to submit landscaping plans, revisit in 60 days.
15) 15927 Paseo Del Campo -- Multiple lack of General Maintenance, stored vehicle and debris in driveway. Refer to attorney.
16) 16121 Via Pinale -- Lack of General Maintenance, debris stored at front of property. Violations cleared, closing.
17) 16047 Via Paro -- Debris stored at front of property. All violations cleared, closing.
18) 16151 Via Arriba -- Inoperative stored vehicle in driveway and other machinery in driveway, lawn tall. Owner to bring in proof of registration for vehicle, all other violations cleared. Revisit in 60 days.
19) 16169 Via Alamitos -- Trailer stored in driveway with debris. All violations cleared, closing.
20) 15880 Via Alamitos -- Lack of Lawn Maintenance. Owner getting gardener, revisit in 60 days.
21) 966 Via Manzanas -- Holiday Lights. Gone, closing.
22) 17032 Via Pasatiempo -- Lack of General Maintenance, fire-damaged house/debris in front. Referred to county and need to locate owner, will revisit in 60 days.
23) 687 Via Aires -- Lack of General Maintenance/Multiple Violations, stored vehicle/holiday items and debris out front. Refer to attorney.
24) 17268 Via Chiquita -- Front Yard Maintenance, overgrown vegetation. Refer to attorney.
25) 17469 Via La Jolla -- Boat parked in driveway. Refer to attorney.
26) 17248 Via Melina -- Business being run from home. The Administrator to speak with owner, and possibly revisit in 30 days.
27) 1544 Via Lacqua -- Trailer stored in driveway -- Refer to attorney.
28) 1669 Via Lacqua -- Lack of Yard Maintenance. Revisit in 30 days.
29) 1677 Via Lacqua -- Inoperative/stored vehicle in driveway. Vehicle now registered, closing.
30) 15866 Corte Angelo -- Inoperative vehicles/front yard maintenance. All vehicles now registered, owner working on keeping front yard maintained, revisit in 30 days.
31) 15851 Corte Mariana -- Lack of General Maintenance, front yard maintenance, condition of house. Owners will bring into compliance within 60 days, revisit issue then.
32) 15859 Corte Mariana -- Lack of Front yard maintenance, weeds high at side of residence. All weeds now maintained, monitoring for 60 days.
33) 944 Via Bregani-Inoperative cars/working on cars in driveway- All vehicles gone, closing.
34) 1179 Via Lucas -- Stored vehicle and tall lawn. Revisit in 30 days.
35) 16176 Channel -- Lack of general maintenance, condition of entire property - yard house etc. Owner remodeling house, will monitor and revisit in 60 days.
36) 16184 Channel St. -- Couch and inoperative vehicle stored in driveway. All violations cleared, closing.

6.2 VARIANCES

A) 914 Bockman -- Back yard patio cover. Owner taking the structure down and will resubmit new plans in the future.
B) 17432 Via Annette -- Back Yard patio roof. Administrator to speak with owner and do a site visit, will revisit in 30 days.
C) 17093 Via Chiquita -- Shed with 3 ft set back in back yard. Approved.

Director Sherman moves to approve the Hearings and Variance decisions. Director Pebelier seconds, the motion carries unanimously.

7.0 ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT

7.1 Informational Items -- The Administrator stated that the final approval of the budget was inadvertently left off the agenda. She noted that the draft budget was mailed out to the membership via the Association newsletter and the narrative indicated the budget would be discussed at this meeting. She suggested that the board vote on the budget at this meeting, and because the item was not on the agenda, ratify this vote at the May 18, 2006 meeting. She announced that she was prepared to discuss any questions about the budget and opened the floor to discussion.

Resident Harry Curlett of 593 Via Mirabel said that he is concerned that the garbage bag receipts showed no expense/income but were a single line item. The Administrator noted that the Association makes very little money on the bags, specifically 10 cents per bag. She noted that these bags are sold as a courtesy to the homeowners and not necessarily for profit. The Association pays for the bags up front, and as they are purchased the Association is reimbursed and thus the expense is off-set and so it has been shown as a one line item. Curlett suggested that the bags should show what profit if any is generated. Ms Van Huffel indicated that an in depth look at our financial reports is available at anytime to any of our homeowners and invited Mr. Curlett to come and review all the financial reports.

Director Bieschke made a motion to approve the final budget for 06/07 as was published in the March/April newsletter, Director Pebelier seconds, the motion carries unanimously.

The Administrator reported that on May 20th the Association with the office of Supervisor Alice Lai Bitker would be sponsoring a booth for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. Their team needs volunteers to walk the field for hour shifts for a total of 24 hours on May 20-21st. She asked anyone interested to contact the Association office.

8.0 OTHER BUSINESS

8.1 Bockman Road variance for 26 foot height -- A representative from the Olson Company Marcy Rye noted that her company needed one last approval for the proposed housing units on Bockman Rd. They wanted to know if the board would approve an extra foot in height for each unit. This would make the homes 26 feet in height versus 25 feet in height. She brought a ruler to show that from an exterior perspective, the difference was not a great amount. Rye stated that from a design perspective there are two (2) advantages to a 26 ft pitch roof versus a 25 ft pitch:

1) Roof pitch is more pleasing aesthetically on a 26 vs. 25 ft roof ;

2) On the second floor of the town home the roof plate is 9 ft vs. 8 ft the lower ceiling is not as pleasing when you want to put a ceiling fan or other lighting fixtures in. The taller the ceiling has been found to be the one most preferred.

The Administrator noted that the board thought that they would be able to see the difference in some drawings that she was to bring. Rye stated that the difference is not noticeable on paper and she thought bringing drawings would not necessarily show the board any differences.

Director Bieschke asked whether the builder couldn't get an additional foot in these townhomes with a 25 ft pitch. Rye stated that she was told that they could not get this additional foot without increasing the height.

Director Sherman asked why the board would consider an additional foot when its original position was to keep the height in line with the maximum two story building which is no higher than 25 feet. Rye stated that from a design standpoint, there is a difference to the buildings and it is something that could be considered. She noted that her company would be willing to keep with the 25 feet maximum if the board did not want them to go any higher.

The Administrator asked Ms Rye to bring back drawings showing the 25 ft versus 26 ft buildings. She also suggested that her company note sights in the area where town homes have been built by th Olson Company at 25 ft and at 26 ft. The Board would like to go out and look at these units to view them in a true setting.

8.2 Lorenzo Theater proposal -- The Administrator reported that with the help of Supervisor Lai-Bitker's office the Lorenzo Theater Foundation is looking to purchase the Lorenzo Theater from its current owner within the next 2 (two) years. They have already submitted their business plan and are moving forward with negotiations.

8.3 Checks Into Cash Proposal for Lisa Lo's Center -- The Administrator introduced the district manager for the "Checks Into Cash" franchise. She noted that his company is asking for a variance from the county to open up one of their businesses in the Lorenzo Manor Shopping Center. They need this variance because their business requires 1.5 more parking spaces. The Administrator noted that Mr. Atherton had stated that his company would be happy to block off an area of the building so that they use only 900 square feet of space, so that their business would require less parking area.

David Atherton spoke about his company. He stated that the do not cash checks. They do small loans that do not exceed $300.00, which is the maximum by law in California. Their clientele is a variety of people from professionals to blue collar workers. Customers must show proper I.D. and a current pay stub. His business is open only Mon- Fri, 10am to 6pm. Saturdays from 10 am to 3pm and they are closed Sundays and holidays. There are no bars on their windows, they have face to face contact with their customers. Atherton stated that for the past 3 years he has been a manager for 18 stores, and in that time they have only had 2 robberies.

The Administrator noted that she checked into the amount of robberies and found that due to the fact that the most each individual is leaving with is $255.00, the clientele they are servicing and the hours of operation, their rate is very low.

Director Ready noted that they have done a nice job with the office they are scheduled to move into and they have written a business report that includes a clause that holds the landlord accountable. If the landlord does not meet the tenant's specifications for upkeep inside or outside the building, the tenant can withhold rent.

Director Bieschke makes amotion to approve "Check Into Cash's" proposal for a parking variance through Alameda County, given their agreement to keep their establishment at only 900 square feet, if they exceed the 900 square feet, then the issue would need to come back before the Association Board for approval. Director Sherman seconds, the motion carries unanimously.

8.4 Reasonable Accomodations -- The Administrator said that "Reasonable Accommodations" are things that you can do to your house like a garage conversion, or handicap ramp etc. that make changes to your existing house. The Ordinance Review Committee has met on this issue many times and had developed a policy about "reasonable accommodations" this policy was recommended to the Board of Supervisors at its last meeting, however the Board adopted a policy that is much broader than the Committee recommended. These new policies would make it easier for anyone to convert their garage into a separate unit. The Administrator noted that Supervisor Lai-Bitker's office is working with the Board to revisit this issue at the next Unincorporated meeting and invited all residents to attend.

Director Ready added that handicap ramps will also be discussed. She stated that the committee adopted recommendations of allowing ramps, but to have owners convert the property back to its original state (ie: without the ramp) once they decide to sell. Resident Ernie DelliGatti asked if Supervisor Miley was going to drive through the neighborhoods as promised to review the garage conversions that have already been done.

Keving Dowling noted that after the Unincorporated meeting the Planning Commission would hear the issue the first Thursday in May 2006 and make its final decisions.

8.5 Library Resolution -- Director Bieschke read a resolution in support of securing funds for a new library for the unincorporated area (see Attachment B). Director Bieschke makes a motion to approve the resolution, Director Sherman seconds, the motion carries unanimously.

8.6 First Reading of the By-Laws -- The Administrator stated that this would be another first reading of the by-laws with the new changes/revisions (see Attachment C).

Resident Donald Clowser of 1135 Via Vista stated that some of the changes in the by- laws have been overlooked in the current revisions. He noted that Article 18, which deals with the Inspection of Minutes was not left in. The Administrator noted that by law the Association must allow members access to all documents and this has always been the policy of the Board to comply with the corporation law. Clowser stated that he thought that Article 18 should be left in because it has always been included in the by-laws, and he did not see the reasoning for not including it with the current revisions. Clowser also noted that the requirement to have two (2) readings of any revisions of the bylaws was also left out.

Resident, Harry Curlett, of Via Mirabel stated that the Board cannot take rights from members without their approval. He said that the by laws do take away members rights and would require a vote by the membership. He gave the example of the proxy vote being taken out of the bylaws. He stated that members rights should not be taken away in this manner and ask that this type of voting be left in the bylaws.

The Administrator told the Board that she was unable to find the provision of two readings for a change in the new bylaws. It was mistakenly left out in the current revisions. She recommended to the Board that the language remain as was stated in the previous bylaws: " ...that the proposed word changes shall not be adopted before they are publicly: read and considered at not less than two meetings, and there shall elapse at least twenty-five (25) calendar days between the date of the first reading and the date they are considered for adoption..."

Regarding proxies: the Association would never use proxies for elections because we have mail in ballots, thus, it should not be a problem for us.

Motion to have the first reading with the inclusion that there will be two readings anytime there is a bylaw change. Wulf makes motion to approve with the inclusion of the two readings which were in old bylaws. Sherman seconds... approved unanimously.

9.0 PUBLIC COMMENT

Director Ready stated that she is unhappy with the Bohannon property and what has been done to repair the broken windows and graffiti on the buildings. She stated that she does not think that the repairs were done properly and the place looks like a mess. She encouraged residents to contact the Bohannon Organization about the situation.

Resident Harry Curlett suggested that the Little League work out a deal with HARD to sell the park and the Association could dedicate the funds to give towards a new library. Kevin Dowling stated that the Supervisor's office tried to coordinate this, and the Little League organization was not in agreement with any sale.

10.0 COMMITTEE REPORTS

10.1 Airport Committee -- Representative Ernie Delli Gatti stated that he attended the Oakland Airport meeting last night and the report about noise complaints came mostly from Fremont and Oakland, there were none from the San Lorenzo area.

Delli Gatti mentioned that he is concerned that no one from the Olson Company has approached the Hayward Airport with respect to the proposed homes on Bockman Rd. He noted that these homes are in a direct line of the airports take off and landing planes.

10.2 Library Committee -- Director Bieschke said that at the last Library Committee meeting the polling information showed that a majority of residents in the unincorporated area would support a bond measure for the library. He urged all residents to vote in favor of Prop 81 which would help to secure funds for a new library for the unincorporated area.

11.0 COMMENTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS -- Director Sherman reminded everyone in attendance that April 28, 2006 there will be a ceremony held at the County Administration Building at noon, commemorating all children who died by violence.

12.0 ADJOURNMENT -- Director Ready adjourned the meeting at 9:32 pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Pat Pebelier
Secretary-Treasurer

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