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MINUTES
SAN LORENZO VILLAGE HOMES ASSOCIATION
MEETING NO. 1081
June 19, 2003
The regular meeting of the San Lorenzo Village Homes Association Board of Directors was held Thursday,
June 19, 2003.
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, Pat Pebelier, Enrique Barboza and Peggy Sheridan were present.
2.O MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING -- Director Sherman moved to approve the minutes from the May 15, 2003, meeting Number 1080. Director Pebelier seconds the motion. The minutes are approved unanimously.
3.0 COMMENTS FROM PUBLIC AGENCIES
3.1 Alameda County Sheriff's Dept. -- The Sheriff's Dept. were unable to report this month due to a cut in staff; they will be faxing a report of the statistics to the Homes Association office which will be attached to the next minutes.
3.2 CHP -- Officer Rob Tuazon reported the following statistics for May 2003:
Infraction San Lorenzo Total Unincorp. area Collisions 21 115 Tickets, 525 1,731 Parking Tickets 14 180 Storage/Impounds 13 99 Recoveries 1 7 Total Warnings for Hayward Area CHP 1206Officer Tuazon reported that his office had received several complaints about a bike lane at Channel and Grant Ave. Apparently cars were crossing over the bike lane lines making it dangerous for any bikes using that area. The CHP wrote over 100 tickets in that area alone this past month. Many drivers did not realize that it was illegal to turn into a bike lane.
Tuazon stated that there was a problem with a trailer parked out on the street in front of a residence of Via Anacapa. He stated that there was a problem of getting it towed initially because the officer who originally tagged the trailer went on vacation so that it was unclear if it had been moved or not. The CHP did finally tow it away. Tuazon handed out information about the new Amber Alert system that is now in place for lost or missing persons/children.
Resident Steve Daly complained about the parking on Via Alamitos and how the CHP have stated that it is low priority. Tuazon stated that he will assign Alamitos to an officer to patrol on an ongoing basis and noted that he understands the problem on Alamitos.
3.3 Supervisor Alice Lai-Bitker -- The new zoning inspector for San Lorenzo, Bruce Babcock, introduced himself and asked anyone who had concerns about San Lorenzo properties to contact him. Babcock noted how the process works. They take in a complaint, which may take at the most four (4) days to process, then they go out to the residence for a site visit. Once they confirm that the violation exists they give the resident fifteen (15) days to abate the problem. If they do not take care of the problem, they fine them $94.00 and schedule a hearing for each respective resident.
Director Ready asked why the corner of Grant and Washington was not on his report. She said the weeds in that lot are now over 5 feet high. Babcock noted that the report he gave the Board was for May 2003. He had just visited the lot at the corner of Grant and Washington and had photographed it. Babcock stated that the county zoning personnel are now the county weed abatement enforcers. He will be sending a notice to this owner and checking back to see what is being done.
It was noted by residents that there is graffiti where Rasputins and Big Five have their buildings off of Hesperian, as well as the Pottery place on Hesperian. Babcock said he would follow up on all of these.
3.4 Public Comment -- Items not on the Agenda -- None.
4.0 FINANCIAL REPORT
4.1 Approval of May 2003 Expenditures and discussion of significant variances -- The Administrator stated that she would be reporting on any significant variances after the end of the fiscal year at the July 2003 Board meeting. Director Sherman moved to approved the May 2003 expenditures including pay roll, with a second from Director Barboza. The motion was approved unanimously.
5.0 LIEN AND VIOLATION REPORT -- The Administrator reported that there have been no liens released since the May 2003 Board meeting. She reported that staff has closed 242 cases since May 2003. Staff has been focusing on those cases which had two or more drive-bys and are still open. These cases were either closed or referred to the attorney and/or county for further action.
May 2003 Violation Report
Number Violation # of Letters
1/19 Inoperable Vehicles in driveway 15
2/22 Recreational veh/trailer in driveway 17
6 Lack of Gen Maintenance 34
10 Lawn Height 37
11 Dead Trees 0
12 Overgrown Vegetation 2
13 Holiday Lights 7
15 Building Exterior 6
16 Dirt Accumulation 6
17 Attractive Nuisances 4
18 Lean/miss fence 1
20/7 Unpaved parking 3
21 Working on vehicles 1
23 Dogs/Cats more than 2,0
24 Barking dogs 1
25 Prohibited animals 0
26 Excess noise 1
27 No Home Business 1
28/99 Other/ comments 3
Total 139
Resident Howard Beckman questioned what "close out" means. If a homeowner has one violation that is cleared, however he has started another violation, what is done? The Administrator stated that only one violation is closed out, the other is left open until it is resolved.
6.0 ZONING AND VARIANCE ISSUES6.1 Variances approved/disapproved at the work session -- President Ready reported on the following Work Session Variances that were heard earlier in the evening: 16186 Via Owen -- Carried over; no plans.
15927 Via Cordoba -- Carried over; no plans.
1360 Via San Juan -- Exterior paint. Denied.
16174 Via Arriba -- Continued; need more plans from the owner; plans do not match the house.
599 Via Acalanes ---Side yard step fence. Carried over;owner had emergency; no plans.
7.0 ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
7.1 Nomination of Keith Barros, Community Hero -- President Ready stated that the Board was asked by the Alameda County Fair representatives to provide or nominate a community "hero" for San Lorenzo. The Board and Administrator felt that Keith Barros was the best candidate for this nomination. He has been a resident since 1975, has been active in traffic safety issues on an ongoing basis. He has worked to preserve the Lorenzo Theater and has been very active in the Specific Plan process for the Village Square. Barros continues to attend community meetings and is actively involved and concerned about San Lorenzo.
Director Ready, on behalf of the Homes Association Board, presented Barros with a certificate of appreciation for his accomplishments.
Resident Keith Barros thanked the Board, the Administrator and the audience for its support and nomination.
The Administrator announced that Barros would be present in the Fair's Saturday, June 21st opening day parade. All those interested need to be in attendance by 11 a.m.. She also announced that the Association Office now has discount tickets available for all San Lorenzo Association members on a first- come, first-serve basis.
7.2 Informational items -- The Administrator announced that the long-awaited EIR for the Specific Plan will be out tomorrow, June 20, 2003. She will have a copy available in the Homes Association office for those who would like to check one out. She has asked the county to send a postcard to all who initially responded to the Plan and let them know copies would be available at the Association Office.
She also announced that on July 21st there is a meeting tentatively scheduled with the county and the community about the EIR. The focus group will meet prior to this meeting to discuss the EIR. The Administrator announced that EBMUD will meet some time in July regarding the ground water project. This meeting will be held in the San Lorenzo Community Hall and will be open to the public.
The Administrator reported that there have been one hour parking signs posted on Lorenzo Ave and Via Enrico in response to the problem with parking of the students at Arroyo High. The county did a survey of the 25 home owners along Lorenzo Ave and 17 home owners responded. 76% of those were in favor and 18% were against the signs, so the county will continue with these signs. The Administrator noted that there were also other residents on nearby streets that wanted the signs and have been referred to county Traffic Engineer, Bob Preston.
The Administrator announced that the COPP Shop fiscal agent, Sharon Callahan, would be resigning due to the fact she is moving out of the area. The COPP SHOP handles the Ashland, Cherryland and San Lorenzo areas. She would like the Homes Association to take over as the fiscal agent. Our financial reports already have a line item for the agency and it would not be difficult for the Association to take over the responsibility. There were no objections from the Board.
Resident Howard Beckman announced that the residents of Heron Bay have a website against the groundwater project. He did not have the address but noted that residents can go online and inquiry about the project and supposedly get these objections. The Administrator noted that she has asked the group many times for their independent study about the project and has never received any information.
8.0 OTHER BUSINESS
8.1 Alcohol Billboards -- Emily Chung, CommPre -- Ms. Chung reported with a student from Tennyson High and Castro Valley high. She stated that COMMPRE has been cracking down on convenient stores that are selling products that can be turned into drug paraphernalia. They have been going from store to store asking owners to sign a pledge stating they would not sell these items. There is already an ordinance which prohibits the selling of drug paraphernalia in stores. There were 13 stores that were in the area whose owners/managers signed the pledge. After which, undercover officers went to each of these stores and asked specifically for these products in relation to drug activity. Five (5) of these stores still sold the products to individuals and have had a 30 day suspension of selling alcohol. Chung also reported on Billboard advertisements. There currently is a concern with the advertisement of alcohol or tobacco near schools, community facilities, daycare or church facilities. Chung showed the audience a picture of an alcohol advertisement on a billboard directly across from Arroyo High School. Chung stated that there was a meeting held recently with COMPRE, school, county and homes association officials about proposing an ordinance about these advertisements. The ordinance would be much like the Oakland Billboard ordinance which prohibits alcohol and tobacco advertisements within 1000 feet from churches, schools, daycare facilities and community centers. This ordinance held up in Superior Court. Chung stated that County Counsel at the request of Supervisor Miley is drafting an ordinance. COMPRE wanted to solicit the support of the homes associations in the area to get support for this ordinance. She would be coming back to the Association meeting once the initial draft was developed and hoped to get support from the community by putting an article in the Association newsletter.
Resident Beckman stated that the county has an ordinance that was supposed to phase out all billboards, which has not enforced.
8.2 Annual Report from Little League, Rich Renteria, President -- Renteria was out sick; the item will be continued until the July 2003 meeting.
8.3 CC&R process change (motion) -- The Administrator announced that there would be changes in the CC&R process pursuant to recommendations made at the last CC&R meeting. (See attachment A) The Administrator said that once we receive a complaint we would be sending out a letter within five (5) days. (This would begin by fall of 2003-after we have cleared our data base of all the "old files" and referred those that are ongoing to the attorney). The Administrator stated that we would continue to work with the county on ongoing problems and would be faxing them referrals on a monthly basis and checking the status of these referrals.
It was suggested that an increase in fines be instituted for "multiple violators", i.e., homeowners who continually violate CC&Rs. The Administrator will be checking with the Association Attorney about how we would best go about doing this. The new process would start July 1, 2003 and will hopefully help to resolve issues in a more timely fashion.
Director Pebelier makes a motion to accept the revisions in the CC&R process. Director Sheridan seconds the motion. The motion carries unanimously. Resident Beckman stated that it is equally important to have the changes in property standards as they are interpreted by the Board over time written down. New directors need to know what policy changes have been made. There needs to be consistency in these changes and new members need to have a clear direction regarding these policies. The Administrator stated that she has already had this request from the Board and promised to have something in writing by the end of the year.
8.4 Approval of Lease of Lollipop Lane Inc. (motion) -- The Administrator reported that the Board had reviewed the lease in its Work Session prior to the Board meeting and agreed to increase the Lollipop Lane rental over a three year period. (See Lease - attachment B)
Resident Howard Beckman questioned the amount of the increase and asked if the Preschool would be paying for its own utilities. The Administrator stated that in the past the Association paid for utilities, but now the preschool would be paying for its own utilities as well continue to pay for its own insurance. Director Ready added that the Board had spoken with the owner of Lollipop Lane in terms of the increase, and in these uncertain economical times, did not want to put more of a financial strain on the school than it deemed necessary. The Administrator pointed out that the cabin is also used by the community, for Girl Scout meetings at a low rental fee of a $1.00 per meeting as well as for other meetings when the Community Hall is already scheduled with another meeting. Director Ready stated that the rent received from Lollipop Lane is more than enough to maintain the grounds in the area.
Director Sheridan makes a motion to approve the Lollipop Lane Lease and to authorize the Board President to sign the Lease. Director Pebelier seconds the motion. The motion passes unanimously.
9.0 PUBLIC COMMENT -- None.
10.0 COMMITTEE REPORTS
10.1 Airport Committees -- None.
10.2 Library Committee -- Director Sheridan reported that the library was told that the Association would not give up its Tot Lot land and they agreed to come up with alternative designs. Sheridan also reported that there was a community meeting about the potential changes for the library that included slides for architecture all over the world. Residents in attendance were asked to fill out a questionnaire as to what type of architecture they liked or did not like for the library. The county would then be using these suggestions when considering its design.
11.0 COMMENTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS -- The Board members thanked all who attended and for the hard work Association Staff is doing.
12.0 ADJOURNMENT -- 9:00 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Pat Pebelier
Secretary-Treasurer
Recorded & Transcribed By: Kathleen Harrigan, Sr. Admin. Assistant
Reviewed By: Nancy Van Huffel, Administrator and Kathie Ready, Board President