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MINUTES
SAN LORENZO VILLAGE HOMES ASSOCIATION
MEETING NO. 1068
July 18, 2002
The regular meeting of the San Lorenzo Village Homes Association Board of Directors was held Thursday, July 18, 2002.
1.1 CALL TO ORDER -- President Kathie Ready called the meeting to order at 7:34 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 Peggy Sheridan were present, Director Enrique Barboza was absent.
2.O MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING -- Director Sherman makes a motion to approve the minutes of the June 2002 Board meeting number 1067. Director Pebelier seconds the motion. The minutes were approved unanimously.
3.0 COMMENTS FROM PUBLIC AGENCIES
3.1 Alameda County Sheriffs Dept. -- Deputy Langdon introduced two (2) new deputy technicians, Deputy Daniel Mulluson and Deputy Freda Jones. She reported that there were five (5) commercial burglaries, one (1) graffiti, eight (8) auto burglaries, three (3) residential burglaries one (1) grand theft and four (4) stolen vehicles. She stated that auto burglaries had increased for the area and her department has been trying to deal with this issue. They have extra patrols in certain areas of San Lorenzo watching for suspicions activity.
Langdon reported that in the last month the Sheriffs Department has participated at the Alameda County Fair and also the San Lorenzo Flower and Wine Festival. Langdon is also coordinating a neighborhood watch for residents on Via Nube. Upcoming events are National Night Out on August 6th and the Cop Shop Barbeque on September 6th.
Director Sherman asked how the San Lorenzo Clean up day is coming along. Langdon stated that she has gotten a lot of calls from interested residents willing to participate. She wants local high school students to also participate and is trying to coordinate her efforts with county zoning and other agencies. She said that she would not have detailed plans until September 2002.
Resident Jack MacKinnon asked what was the disposition of the youths who were caught tagging the old Mervyns area. Langdon stated that she was unsure and would report back at a later meeting.
3.2 CHP -- Officer Doule reported that the CHP has doubled the amount of officers in the area with the recent training of new officers. He introduced Officer Colby Ham as the new CHP officer for San Lorenzo and reported that he would be moving to another area. The statistics for June were as follows:
# of tickets for entire
Type of Ticket unincorporated area # in San Lorenzo
Parking Tickets 114 185
Tickets 128 323
Traffic Collisions 21 123
DUI N/A N/A
Vehicle towed or impounded 15 89
Telephone Complaints 10 56
3.3 Supervisor Lai-Bitker -- Shawn Wilson, chief of staff to Supervisor Lai-Bitker, reported that he had received many calls from San Lorenzo residents who were supportive of the recent town hall meeting with the Planning Commission. He also announced that Lai-Bitker will be hosting several workshops for seniors in the upcoming months as well as trying to secure the flu vaccines for the area earlier so that seniors who want to can get flu shots earlier this year. Wilson stated that Lai Bitker is still looking for staff for the San Lorenzo office. She should have the position filled within the next few weeks.
3.4 Youth Advisory Commission -- No report.
3.5 Public Comment -- Resident Howard Beckman spoke about a transportation issue that would include a new bridge from San Lorenzo to San Bruno. He stated that the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) was asked to look at improving traffic across the Bay and at the same time has sponsored a Smart Growth Initiative to bring in more housing and jobs to the area. This proposal would include connecting a portion of this bridge to I-238 and would affect a large part of San Lorenzo and San Leandro as well as destroy the San Lorenzo Creek. He reported that at the most recent policy sub-committee for the MTC the proposal was asked to be put into the Blueprint. However there were people at the meeting from San Lorenzo and other areas that spoke against the idea. The policy committee voted to drop further consideration of this bridge by a narrow vote of 4 in favor of dropping the vote to 3 against it. Beckman pointed out that this issue does go before the MTC next Wednesday and asked that residents attend. He stated that it is very important that the MTC sees how this will affect our community and to hear from the residents.
The Administrator stated that Beckman did contact her about the project and that under the Board President's direction she is in the process of writing a letter to present at the meeting next Wednesday. She pointed out that a large number of houses in San Lorenzo would be taken out and that very few of our residents would use this bridge.
The board had no objections to a letter being forwarded to the MTC in opposition of this project.
The Administrator stated that many people want more information on the San Lorenzo Creek article that was written by Beckman and published in the last newsletter. Beckman stated that he has received some angry calls on the issue. He is only interested in forming a committee to discuss issues related to the creek regarding waste, garbage, trails and other matters. His article pointed out that the Army Corps of Engineers has changed its views about filling in creeks with concrete to regulate floods. It has found new, more effective ways that protect the wildlife and bring creeks back to their original state while still maintaining the water flow. He would like interested residents to become involved with creek clean-up and other issues related to the creek and its watershed areas.
4.0 FINANCIAL REPORT
4.1 Approval of June 2002 Expenditures (including payroll) -- Director Sherman made a motion to accept the June 2002 expenditures (including payroll), Director Pebelier seconds, the motion carries unanimously.
4.2 Discussion of Significant Variances -- End of year report will be getting a lot of info on that in next few months.
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, 14 2/22 Recreational veh/trailer in driveway 1 6 Lack of Gen Maintenance 0 10 Lawn Height 1 11 Dead Trees 0 12 Overgrown Vegetation 1 13 Holiday Lights 13 15 Building Exterior 0 16 Dirt Accumulation 1 17 Attractive Nuisances 0 18 Lean/miss fence 0 20/7 Unpaved parking 7 21 Working on vehicles 1 23 Dogs/Cats more than 2,0 24 Barking dogs 2 25 Prohibited animals 1 26 Excess noise 1 27 No Home Business 0 28/99 Other comments 5 Total 45
Vice Chair, Jack MacKinnon stated that he felt the BCDC has been instrumental in getting a lot of things developed in the Village. Redevelopment was looked at due to the BCDC as well as the Task Force for the Specific Plan. He suggested that the BCDC continue on an "as needed" basis for the Association Board. Issues that the BCDC could review might be new business or new zoning that was suggested for the San Lorenzo Village area.
Director Ready concurred with MacKinnon that there should be a review committee like the BCDC to look at items that are going before zoning and/or the planning department and make recommendations to the Board of Directors. She stated that the BCDC has been instrumental in making recommendations about a variety of zoning issues that related to San Lorenzo and suggested they continue to do so on an "as needed basis".
The consensus of the Board was to continue to use the BCDC on an "as needed" basis to review issues related to zoning and businesses in the community. Jack MacMillan stated that he would be willing to take over as chair for the committee.
7.0 ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT
7.1 Miscellaneous items -- The Administrator stated that she received an item from the Zoning Department that the Board should consider prior to it going before the Board of Zoning Adjustments (BZA). She stated that the Santa Fe Party Place, which is not in our Association but is across from some of our residents on Hacienda Ave., is reapplying for a permit to continue its operation as a rental party hall. The Administrator stated that staff from county zoning did a complete report and are recommending that the variance be approved only if they stop the parties at 10:00 pm and that parking must be shared with the church at the end of Toledo and Hacienda so that guests are not parking in front of the surrounding residents houses.
The Administrator asked for a recommendation from the Board regarding this variance. Director Ready stated that the conditional use permit should include that all party-goers park in the church parking lot. The Administrator stated that she would draft a letter with respect to this item and forward the staff report to Board members for other recommendations.
The Administrator also announced that the Public Storage on Hesperian is requesting another pole be put up in front of its facility for an additional cell phone tower that will have a light on top and add to the security of the facility. There were no objections from Board members about the installation of this additional cell phone tower.
8.0 OTHER BUSINESS
8.1 Hesperian Corridor Improvement Project: Brian Fletcher -- Brian Fletcher was introduced from Callander Associates who was hired for the Hesperian Corridor Improvement Project. Fletcher explained that the community was awarded this project through a MTC grant and noted that the area this project will cover is on Hesperian Blvd between West A street down through San Lorenzo to I-880. The goal of the project is to improve pedestrian safety and travel along Hesperian Blvd and to encourage transit. The project would attract residents to bus transport and would improve the aesthetics along the Boulevard. The project would also let motorists and pedestrians know that they are in San Lorenzo.
Fletcher stated that his company wants to hear from the community and get suggestions about what it would like to see along this Boulevard. He stated that the project is a four-step project. The first step is to understand the goals of the community-there is a public workshop scheduled for August 13th at 7:00 pm in the San Lorenzo Community Hall. Fletcher stated that they want a large turn-out for this meeting and encouraged all residents to attend. He stated that after this meeting there will be drawings of what the project will be like and there will be more community input on these renditions. The plans will then be re-issued with the community's suggestions and finally a document will be created that will be a blue print for the area. Lighting and landscaping will be outlined for the area on these blueprints. He stated that after the initial August meeting the second meeting would be sometime in October 2002 with a final meeting on the project in December 2002. The overall goal for the project would be that the master plan for the area would be approved by the Association Board and the County in February 2003.
A resident asked whether they could increase the illumination of the lighting in the area. Fletcher stated this is something the project could look into. Another resident noted that Hesperian has become a by-pass for vehicles during commute hours when there is an accident on I-880.
Director Ready pointed out that Callendar Associates is a design firm. They have been hired to design what Hesperian Blvd. will eventually look like. Eventually redevelopment, grant, or developer funds would implement the improvements. She noted that this is the community's opportunity to shape future projects for the boulevard.
Fletcher noted that his firm would like to build on the recommended improvements that the Specific Plan is considering for the area.
8.2 Alameda Co Compost/Recycling Grant Ave. -- Teresa Eade and Matt Cotton with Alameda Co. Waste Management Authority and Recycling Board presented the project to the residents along with Public Works staff Sal Ferdinand. Eade stated that what they are proposing is a small composting project working with the Alameda County Public Works agency. She explained that her agency is similar to a transit authority with their own elected officials from surrounding cities who sit on their board and review recycling for the county.
Eade stated that currently Grant street holds all the compost leaves, prunings and wood chips that are collected by Public Works. This green waste is held at the site until it can be picked up and transferred to the Davis Street transport station. Their proposal would eliminate the need to transport these piles. They would increase the compost piles from two to four and compost the material. (See attachment A). The county will be re-using the compost instead of transferring it to the Davis Street Transfer station.
The project would be funded by a grant acquired by the Waste Management Authority and Recycling Board. Eade stated that they have been conducting a "pilot program" for almost a year now at the sight with no residential complaints. She stated that the main problems are the noise from the new tractor needed for this project and the smell. Eade said the tractor would make no more noise than the water trucks which are already at the sight and that the tractor would only be needed every few weeks to turn the piles. The odor problem would only occur if the piles got wet between turning. Eade stated that they would be covering the piles to prevent any moisture from accumulating. There would be no manure or other waste matter would be included in the compost piles and thus the material would be high in nitrogen and have a moderate odor.
Resident Howard Beckman asked who owns the land where this project is occurring and whether the compost will be re-used. Eade stated that the county owns the land and County Public Works will re-use the compost.
Another resident questioned how the number of trucks would decrease if the piles of compost and the material kept at the sight would increase. There was also concern as to how the children who walk along the trail near the sight would be prevented from playing with the material and potentially injuring themselves. Ferdinand stated that the county currently transports to and from the sight. With this program all the material would be kept at the sight and thus trucks would only travel to the sight. He also noted that the county has fenced off the entire area and that the project is only taking up 1 acre of the area towards the north west end of the sight, which is far away from the trail.
Resident Beckman questioned how the project would affect the long term uses of the site. Ferdinand stated that all the material is mobile and would not preclude or exclude other uses for the sight.
Resident Keith Barros asked whether there are assurances that manure would not be used in the composting process. Eade stated that manure is not part of the plan-this project deals with the materials that are put into the flood channel. They do not want unwanted materials or public access to this project and that is one of the reasons the fencing has gone up around the project. All materials acquired consist of almost 100% wood and plant material. Barros asked that if there are any changes in material for this project that the project be discussed before the Association Board. Eade stated that if there were any changes, the project would be re-visited before the Association.
Eade stated that feed back from residents is important and that if there are any suggestions or further concerns from the public to contact herself or Ferdinand.
8.3 July 4th Activities -- Howard Beckman -- Beckman stated that the 4th of July this year in San Lorenzo was out of hand. Even with all the warnings of danger of fireworks and the fact that they are illegal in this area did not prevent residents from setting them off in this area. Beckman suggested that the Association do something next year to advertise that fireworks are illegal and not acceptable in the community.
It was pointed out that the Sheriff's department and the CHP had hundreds of calls that they could not get to this past fourth of July. One resident pointed out that there is no local fireworks show, which might be a deterrent for some people who were setting off fireworks in front of their homes. Beckman stated that educating the community is an important thing. Barros suggested that the Association solicit horror stories about fireworks to publish in the next Association Newsletter. It was also suggested that the Association look into a community fireworks show.
8.3 Appointment to Airport Committees -- The Administrator announced that the Board had received an application from resident Ernest Delli Gatti who has worked as a senior buyer and planner at United Air force. Director Sherman made a motion to recommend Delli Gatti as the Board's representative at Airport meetings for Oakland and the Hayward airports. Director Sheridan seconds, the motion carries unanimously. The Administrator stated that she will be forwarding his resume and the Board's recommendation for appointment to the appropriate people in charge of the membership of these meetings.
9.0 PUBLIC COMMENT -- Resident Dorothy Partridge commended the Board for a successful town hall meeting with the Planning Commission on the Specific Plan. She thanked the Administrator for her statement at the meeting.
Partridge also announced that Arnie Glassburg has been appointed as the new San Lorenzo Superintendent to replace Janice Duran who is retiring.
Resident Keith Barros thanked residents and Board members for commenting on the Specific Plan at the meeting. He was encouraged by the Planning Commissions response to the Task Forces concerns about the plan.
10.0 COMMITTEE REPORTS
10.1 Airport Committees -- Ernest Delli Gatti stated that the county has hired a consultant who will try and standardize the problems related to noise with the airports. The firm that won the bid is called ESA.
10.2 Council on the Prevention of Drinking and Driving -- Jim Spears stated that the committee is still on vacation, no report at this time.
10.3 Youth Resources -- Dorothy Partridge reported that she is no longer the Chair of this committee a new group of people have reorganized the committee and they have already met once to talk about their vision. The new group is called the Unincorporated Youth Collaboration and Director Pat Pebelier is the Board's representative. Partridge stated that Supervisor Lai-Bitker will now be assisting the group with staffing and finances and the new members involved will be an asset to the group. Director Ready thanked Partridge for her participation with the group as its Chair for so many years.
11.0 COMMENTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS -- Director Sherman thanked Shawn Wilson, Aide to Supervisor Lai Bitker, and all the residents who attended the meeting. Director Ready stated that she was very impressed with the amount of residents who attended the recent town hall meeting on the Specific Plan. She commended the residents for the way they conducted themselves and thanked the Administrator for her work and participation on and at this meeting.
12.0 ADJOURNMENT -- President Ready adjourned the meeting at 10:05 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 the CC&Rs considered by the board at its work session July 18:
Policy on flag poles in front yards. Approved.
1689 Via Mesa -- front yard 5 ft redwood fence (replaced existing already up) with setbacks of 17 ft and 8 ft. Denied.
15959 Via Descanso -- Appeal of setback. Approved.