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MINUTES
SAN LORENZO VILLAGE HOMES ASSOCIATION
MEETING NO. 1066
May 16, 2002
The regular meeting of the San Lorenzo Village Homes Association Board of Directors was held Thursday, May 16, 2002.
1.1 CALL TO ORDER -- President Kathie Ready called the meeting to order at 7:35 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, Pat Pebelier, and Enrique Barboza were present, Director Sloan was absent.
1.4 Accept the resignation of Director Dave Sloan (term expires 2/03) and accept the recommendation to appoint resident Peggy Sheridan to fill the vacancy. Director Pebelier makes a motion to accept Director Sloan's resignation, Director Sherman seconds the motion. The motion carries unanimously.
Director Sherman makes a motion to appoint resident Peggy Sheridan to the vacant seat. Director Barboza seconds. The motion carries unanimously.
Director Sheridan takes her seat with the other Board members.
2.O MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING -- Director Sherman moved to approve the minutes from the April 18, 2002 , meeting number 1065. Director Pebelier seconds the motion. The minutes were approved unanimously.
3.0 COMMENTS FROM PUBLIC AGENCIES
3.1 Alameda County Sheriff's Dept. -- Technician Langdon reported that residential burglaries are down while auto burglaries are up by one (1). She reported that the San Lorenzo "clean up" she and deputy Frazer have been working on will take place some time in October. They are trying to get county zoning involved to help with this clean up.
Langdon announced that the Special Olympics billboard fundraiser will be held in San Lorenzo this Friday and Saturday in the old Mervyn's parking lot. They are hoping to get a lot of support from the residents. She announced the upcoming Colea meeting for the sheriff's department as well as the COP Shop's annual flea market which will be held on June 2nd in the Mervyn's parking lot.
3.2 CHP -- Officer John Doule reported the following statistics:
# of tickets for entire
Type of Ticket unincorporated area # in San Lorenzo
Parking Tickets 203 115
Fix-It Tickets n/a n/a
Moving violations n/a n/a
Traffic Collisions 90 21
DUI n/a n/a
Vehicle Towed or impounded 100 13
A resident from the Ashland Association asked about traffic calming on Drew and Wagner streets. He was directed to county traffic engineer Bob Preston.
Director Pebelier stated that there are more cars with "for sale" signs parked in the Lorenzo Manor shopping center and requested law enforcement or zoning take a look at these vehicles.
3.3 Supervisor Lai-Bitker -- Nick Aragon, staff to Lai Bitker, reported that the State Budget and the deficit at the state level is going to have a major impact on the county budget and county agencies and services. Aragon stated that there will be some major cuts to the social services department and the county will not know the impact until the Governor discloses how much of a deficit the state budget is in.
Aragon said another unincorporated newsletter will be going out soon and will have a section for children in it where they can win prizes for various activities.
Aragon announced that on June 12th at 7pm in the San Lorenzo Community Hall, Lai Bitker will host a town hall meeting inviting Cal Trans and the Alameda Transportation Commission to discuss transportation issues related to the expansion of I-238 and other traffic issues. All residents are welcome. He also stated that on June 19th his office will have an open house with Civic Partners and MVE about the proposed development in the Village Square. The event will be at Lai-Bitker's office on Hesperian and will start at 10 am and last all day. Residents will have the opportunity to drop in review the plan and ask questions. Director Ready pointed out that someone had asked at the unincorporated meeting that the housing element which was written into the San Lorenzo Specific Plan be reviewed by a committee prior to it going before the Board of Supervisors. She had recommended that the members from the Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance be on this committee to review the proposal and make recommendations to the Supervisors. Ready asked that Lai-Bitkers office help to set up this committee. She stated that she was very concerned with the wording in the housing element and how it could eliminate the permit process which protects the community with respect to proper zoning and building codes. Aragon stated that he would be meeting with Lai-Biker tomorrow and would contact the Homes Association's Administrator to let her know what Lai-Bitker would be willing to do to help coordinate this meeting.
3.4 Youth Advisory Commission -- Youth representative Francisco Guzman reported that the commission will be sponsoring a literacy event for children at the San Lorenzo Library on June 1, 2002. He stated that the commission cancelled its plan for a dance and will be participating in a joint meeting with Supervisor Lai- Bitker on May 20th.
3.5 Public Comment -- Resident Dorothy Partridge suggested that the Youth Commission report be scheduled earlier on the agenda, especially when there are time agenda items. This would allow representatives to leave earlier if they needed to.
Staff person Kathleen Harrigan announced that Grant Elementary is hosting a reading program on Wednesdays at Grant elementary between 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm. This program is free and will be manned by Grant elementary teachers.
Resident Keith Barros said that the housing element the county reported on at the last Association Board meeting is a scary issue. He stated that the committee members for the Specific Task Force Plan were not aware that 850 units of living area would be part of the plan and initially they did not want any housing in the plan. He stated that the plan for the area needs to maintain the current standards of the area. Barros reported that the plan for the area, shows only 1.5 parking spaces per housing unit. There are currently 1324 street parking spaces for all the retail in San Lorenzo. The amount slated for the proposed housing falls short of what we have already for the entire retail and street area. He encouraged the Board to review the impact this housing element will have on the entire community.
4.0 FINANCIAL REPORT
4.1 Approval of April 2002 Expenditures (including payroll) -- Director Sherman makes a motion Director Barboza seconds, the motion carries unanimously.
4.2 Discussion of Significant Variances -- None.
5.0 LIEN AND VIOLATION REPORT -- The Administrator reported that there have been no liens released since the last Board meeting.
Number Violation # of Letters 1/19 Inoperable Vehicles in driveway 30 2/22 Recreational veh/trailer in driveway 6 6 Lack of Gen Maintenance 1 10 Lawn Height 21 11 Dead Trees 1 12 Overgrown Vegetation 4 13 Holiday Lights 7 15 Building Exterior 4 16 Dirt Accumulation 12 17 Attractive Nuisances 4 18 Lean/miss fence 1 20/7 Unpaved parking 8 21 Working on vehicles 1 23 Dogs/Cats more than 2 0 24 Barking dogs 2 25 Prohibited animals 2 26 Excess noise 2 27 No Home Business 0 28/99 Other comments 2 Total 108
The Administrator noted that the BCDC is looking at the "approaches" to San Lorenzo along various streets to see how they can help improve these areas.
7.0 ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
7.1 Specific Plan Update -- The Administrator reported that Jim Sorenson, with County Planning, was out of town. She had left him a message about the Board's concerns using the current Civic Partner proposal in the specific plan due the density and amount of its housing. She said that the Board wants to move forth with the plan's approval and county staff is scheduled to present something to the Supervisors in June 2002. She will be reporting back to the Board after she hears from Sorenson.
7.2 Miscellaneous items -- The Administrator asked resident John Partridge to report on the EBMUD groundwater proposal. Partridge stated that he talked to the EBMUD engineer and the EIR process is still going on and will be complete by the end of this year. He reported that they will be doing some pumping to see how this will affect the aquifer.
Partridge stated that EBMUD has also looked into property acquisition at the end of Grant which the Association has reported on in the past. These two (2) sites are the Frito Lay warehouse sight at the North side of Grant before the Oro Loma facility and the McMillan land which is where the proposed rebar plant was to be constructed. They still have to get approval from their board and do not have approval for their project as of yet, however they are considering purchasing these sights because they are coming on the market rather than having to acquire them by eminent domain once their proposal is approved.
The Administrator reported that at the redevelopment meeting the Lorenzo Theater owner was going to call a meeting with a group of people to discuss what the community wants for the Theater. This meeting will be held on May 22, 2002 at either the Community Hall or Lai-Bitker's office at 4 p.m. The owner's architect will be present at this meeting.
The Administrator reported that every year she gets an annual report regarding the street lighting for the area. She reported that there will be no increase in rates which have not changed since 1992.
The Administrator stated that the Grant and Washington Proposal is now going before the Board of Zoning Adjustments (BZA). The owner now has an attorney and has been told what the Association wants which is either housing for the whole area or a gas station/mini mart/car wash. The owner's attorney stated that the owner would be submitting a proposal just for the gas station/mini mart/car wash. The Administrator stated that she would ask for plans prior to the hearing before the BZA.
8.0 OTHER BUSINESS
8.1 (Time agenda item 7:45 pm) Alameda County Sidewalk Program -- James Chu -- James Chu, with Alameda Count Public Works Department reported on the county's sidewalk construction program to improve sidewalk areas in the unincorporated areas of Alameda county. He stated that there are still many miles in the area that are without any sidewalks at all. He and his staff are trying to get community input as to what it thinks are the high priority areas in the unincorporated areas. Chu stated that the program is funded from Measure B funds and there is a limited amount of money available for the project. He reviewed ways sidewalk installation is done, from homeowner to developer to county installed pathways. Chu stated that the county currently has prioritized sidewalks and repairs in areas located close to a school, park or commercial area (where there is an increase in pedestrian travel), in areas where there is a higher collision history, areas where the community has asked for sidewalks and/or repair and areas where they know that they can get financial help (i.e., property owner participation/funding). He said that the countywide needs are as follows: 477 miles of county maintained roadways; 150 miles of sidewalk needs; 150 miles of shoulder needs and over 100 miles of bike lane needs. The cost for all the improvements would be approximately 408 million dollars. The Measure B funding is 5 billion dollars over a 20 year period which amounts to 250 thousand dollars per year. At the cost of $250 per foot of sidewalk, the county could get 1000 feet of sidewalk with this funding per year or roughly one block of new sidewalk.
Chu said that they could do a short term project which would be to construct temporary asphalt in prioritized areas with the Measure B funding and try and acquire other funding through grants. These grants would help fund long term projects such as new sidewalks and repairs. He stated that the county wishes to put together a committee made up of community members to help prioritize areas for the project. The committee could identify short and long term locations. Chu reported that the county will continue in its efforts to additional funding through grant applications for the project. He asked that the Association Board appoint one (1) member and an alternate to this committee.
Director Ready stated that the Board would select these members and forward their recommendations to Chu. She asked that Chu give the Board a print out of the information he presented at the meeting. Chu stated that he would e-mail the information to the Administrator.
It was asked who is responsible for sidewalk repair in front of a residence. Chu stated that the property owner is responsible for the repair, but could be given a cash incentive through this program for repairing the sidewalk if the committee chose to make this type of recommendation for the funding.
Director Ready asked whether redevelopment funds could be used for sidewalk repair. Jenny Bloebaum, with Alameda County Redevelopment, stated that redevelopment funds have been used to help fund sidewalk repair in its areas.
8.2 (Time agenda item 8:15 p.m.) Redevelopment proposals -- Jennie Bloebaum
(a) MTC Grant -- Bloebaum stated the county wants a recommendation from the Board on the firm they are going to hire for the MTC grant to do the master plan for the Hesperian Blvd area from the 880 freeway to A street. Bloebaum gave background information about how the grant was acquired, that during the Specific Plan process the area around Hesperian Blvd had been brought up as to what could be done to help fund improvements to the area. Resident Pat Piras, who sits on the AC Transit Board and the Association's Administrator located the grant, applied, and were awarded the grant in March of 2001. The grant helps to design new street scapes for an area. The Association Board approved that the grant be administered by the county redevelopment agency, and in turn the county provided a $10,000 match of funds.
The county has since sent out a request for firms to apply for the project. They received 11 responses and put together a technical advisory committee to interview four of the firms. One firm came out above the others. It was Calendar Associates who has done streetscape design in San Leandro and are currently working in Hayward. This firm took the time to investigate what the community of San Lorenzo was like and is known for its community focus and involvement when working on other projects.
Bloebaum stated that she would request that the Association Board approve this firm for the design project prior to her agency getting approval from the MTC Board and the Board of Supervisors. She stated that the consultant could start work in June of this year, which would be complete by October or November of 2002. Once the design is done, she stated that the county and the redevelopment agency will be in a good position to get additional grant funding and redevelopment funding to start working on construction of the street design.
The Administrator concurred with Bloebaum the Calendar Associates was a good choice and recommended that the Board make a motion accepting this recommendation.
Director Sherman made a motion to accept the recommended firm Calendar Associates as a consultant for the street scape design for the MTC grant, Director Pebelier seconds the motion. The motion carries unanimously.
(b) Selection criteria for business improvement grants -- The Administrator announced that at the last Citizen's Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting members were given guidelines to evaluate businesses for small business loans. Some of the members on the committee had concerns because they did not receive the documentation in a timely fashion so that they could review it adequately and make an intelligent, informed recommendation. The CAC subsequently approved the guidelines and some members were concerned that there was not enough community input as well and had concerns with respect to how things are being processed through the CAC. It was suggested that the CAC make a presentation to the San Lorenzo Association Board prior to it forwarding its recommendation to the Board of Supervisors. This would allow for more community input and resident awareness of the redevelopment process.
Director Ready stated that as a member of the CAC she did not have enough time to review the materials they were voting on prior to the meeting. She had suggested at the meeting that the Association Board review the document and discuss it before the community at an upcoming Board meeting prior to the CAC voting on it, however the CAC voted to approve the recommendations at the last meeting. She said that when the committee was formed there were some concerns about the number of members appointed to it representing San Lorenzo. Other redevelopment projects are monitored and voted upon by the cities they are in. The Association Board is an elected board for the area and should have be able to adequately review the items that come before the CAC. Ready suggested that the Board of Directors get together with the CAC and come to a consensus as to what it envisions for the community. Bloebaum stated that she understands the need for information being sent out well in advance for digestion and understanding. She plans to get agenda items out three weeks in advance to coordinate with the Association Board meeting so that the Association Board members representing the San Lorenzo Village can vote on items representing the Board and the community's wishes. The Administrator asked that Supervisor Lai-Bitker meet with the committee members and encourage community input in the process. Aragon stated that Supervisor Lai-Bitker wanted the committee members to do what they feel was right for the community on their own. He would be willing to help coordinate such a meeting with the Supervisors and the CAC members to discuss this further. He will contact the Administrator to set up this meeting.
Scott Bohannon, member on the CAC, stated that many of the members voted in support of the proposed criteria for the improvement grants due to the fact that these grants are a subset of what redevelopment administers and they have the knowledge and the expertise in this area. He stated that redevelopment has been successful in administering these grants in the past and he felt that they should approve the criteria to get the process moving.
Director Ready stated that regardless of expertise, the opportunity needs to be given to the committee to review prior to making any decision. She said that to approve something because it is what redevelopment administers without reviewing it properly could be detrimental to the community.
Resident Keith Barros said that it is important that members of the CAC make educated, responsible votes on all decisions that come before them. He questioned whether the approval of these guidelines is now a done deal or whether there can be more community input.
Bloebaum stated that staff would move forward with the guidelines agreed upon by the CAC, get the approval from the Board of Supervisors in June and start the process in July with the new fiscal year. If something happens where the community is not happy with these guidelines and/or there are concerns that the guidelines be brought back to the CAC for review and possible change. Bloebaum stated that at the next CAC there will be a discussion on three items that will be flexible to each sub-area. One of these items will relate to how different criteria is weighted for evaluation. Secondly would be targeting specific areas, and last would be the timing for accepting applications for a specific area.
The Administrator stated that the Business and Community Development Committee (BCDC) has been meeting for several years and has been struggling to help businesses. To accept recommendations on these guidelines without the BCDC's input is a slap in the face to the committee. Although she does understand that there may be time for additional review and comment with the process once the guidelines are implemented.
Bloebaum stated that she is attempting to get all of the CAC members on the Association Newsletter mailing list so that they are informed about the various community meetings and events.
8.3 Recommendation for Street sweeping signs for the entire Village Area -- The Administrator stated that the street sweeping signs in Monday's area are working well. The cooperation from the Sheriff's department and the CHP has been very helpful. Tickets are being issued on an ongoing basis and people are moving their cars. The purchase of the new street sweeper and the help from the county has allowed staff to complete the area as posted. She recommended that the Association consider taking Monday's pilot area and incorporate it into the other four (4) areas.
The Administrator stated that the ticket money currently goes to traffic court. She asked the Board that they support her in writing a letter to the Sheriff's department suggesting that half of the money go to the sheriff's department and half go to the County Public Works Department for new signs for the whole area.
Director Sherman questioned whether the County Ordinance would have to be changed. The Administrator stated that an addendum would have to be attached to the Ordinance with the additional street listed.
The Board concurred with the Administrator that the street sweeping signs should be extended to all the other areas of San Lorenzo and asked that she write a letter to the Sheriff's department regarding using the ticket money help fund the signs needed.
9.0 PUBLIC COMMENT -- Resident Joyce Barros stated that she supports that the Board is taking issue with the county's housing element and how it may affect San Lorenzo.
10.0 COMMITTEE REPORTS
10.1 Airport Committees -- No report. The Administrator announced that there needs to be another representative from the Board or the community to represent San Lorenzo on the Oakland Airport committee (due to Sloan's resignation). She stated that the Supervisor would make the appointment to the committee. Kathie recommended that the Board support Howard Beckman as a representative. The board had no objections. The Administrator stated that she would contact Beckman to see if he would serve and then forward the recommendation to the Supervisor.
10.2 Council on the Prevention of Drinking and Driving -- The Administrator suggested that Jim Spears continue as a representative for the Board on the committee (Spears had been the alternate to Sloan). There were no objections from the Board.
Spears reported that the committee would be meeting at a different location. He was not sure where at this time. He noted that both Arroyo and Castro Valley High Schools would continue their respective programs with the Council of Prevention of Drinking and Driving and the sober graduation. San Lorenzo high will not have sober graduation activities because they stated that the children are too rowdy and they do not have the needed volunteers.
10.3 Youth Resources -- Dorothy Partridge, Chair of the Committee. There was no report.
11.0 COMMENTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS -- Director Ready asked residents to understand that the Board is trying to make San Lorenzo a better place for all residents. She encouraged those in attendance to invite others to come to the meetings to see what is going on and voice their opinions as well.
12.0 ADJOURNMENT -- President Ready adjourned the meeting at 9:50 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Pat Pebelier
Secretary-Treasurer
Recorded & Transcribed By: Kathleen Harrigan, Sr. Admin. Assistant
Reviewed By: Nancy Van Huffel, Administrator, Kathie Ready, Board President
Variances from CC&Rs considered at board workshop meeting 5/16:
(a) 16137 Via Alamitos -- Driveway widening (greater than 50%, top portion only). Approved.
(b) 1069 Via Manzanas -- Front yard fence, brick and wrought iron with 9 ft set back. Denied.
(c) 574 Paseo Del Rio -- Driveway addition and 6 foot front/side yard fence with 10 foot set back. Approved with specified modifications only.
(d) 17048 Via Piedras -- Front/side yard fence-redwood, 3 feet in height with 10 ft set back. Approved.
(e) 15830 Via Arroyo -- Back yard redwood fence, 7 feet in height to tie in with existing. Approved.
(f) 15977 Via Alamitos -- 6 foot side yard fence with 7 foot set back plus driveway widening. Approved.
(g) 16049 Via Nueva -- Second story addition. Approved with modifications.