The regular meeting of the San Lorenzo Village Homes Association Board of Directors was held Thursday, July 15, 2004.

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, Patrick Ledesma and Peggy Sheridan were present.

2.O MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING -- Director Sheridan moved to approve the minutes from the June 17, 2004, meeting Number 1095. Director Pebelier seconds the motion. The minutes are approved unanimously.

3.0 COMMENTS FROM PUBLIC AGENCIES

3.1 Alameda County Sheriff's Dept. -- Jerry Finton gave statistics for the past month:

Statistics for June 2004, Alameda County Sheriff's Office

Crime                       Number   Change from last month   Affected Street

Stolen vehicles                 4               +2            Via Alamitos, Via Media, Via Palma, 
                                                              Hesperian
Attempted Stolen Vehicles       0                0                      
Recovered Stolen Vehicles       2               -1            Channel/Bockman, Heserperian
Residential Burglary            6               +1            Grant Ave, Via Chorro, Via Corte, Via 
                                                              Nube, Times Ave., Via Del Rey
Commercial Burglary             2               +1            Hesperian (2)
Auto Burglary                   6               +2            Paseo del Campo, Via Andeta, Via del 
                                                              Prado, Via Media, Via Mirlo, Hesperian    Grand Theft                     7               +4            Hacienda, Via nUbe, Via Palma, Via 
                                                              Vega/Via Enrico, Washington, Via 
                                                              Esperanza, Via Harriet        
Graffiti                        2               +1            Bockman (2)       
Robbery                         0                0                      

Deputy Finton reported that he investigated the laws about persons sleeping in motor homes on the street. There is no law prohibiting them from sleeping in these vehicles. However if the vehicle is not moved within 72 hours it can be tagged.

Resident Keith Barros asked what can be done about the vendors selling strawberries on the corner of Paseo Grande and Toledo and Manzanas and Via Alamitos. Finton stated that the sheriffs cannot arrest them, however they can take their cars with the produce and can stop and sight them for selling the produce without licenses. If they are selling the items on private property, Zoning can site them.

3.2 CHP -- The California Highway Patrol reported on the following statistics:

CHP Statistics for June 2004

Infraction               San Lorenzo     Total for Unincorp. area
Collisions                      12                        118
Tickets                        246                      1,115
Parking Tickets                 12                        218
Storage/Impounds                11                         47
Stolen Recoveries                3                         16
Parking Complaints             n/a                       n/a

Total tickets for Hayward Area CHP:  1,333

3.3 Supervisor Alice Lai-Bitker -- Staff member Kevin Dowling reported on the status of the Lorenzo Manor Shopping Center. Auto Zone will be moving into the large space where The Wherehouse was. Kuman has pulled out of moving into the center next to Auto Zone and a furniture store is interested in that space. Giftopia is moving out and a check cashing store is going into that area. The Administrator asked if there was a county ordinance that regulated the check cashing establishments in an area. Dowling did not know of any ordinance that would prohibit that type of business. Director Ready asked why the owner did not have to come to the county and/or the Association first, prior to new businesses going into the shopping center. She thought that was part of the agreement when the county granted a variance for the parking spaces and the other changes that had been done by Lo in the Shopping Center. The Administrator stated that the agreement was only for new businesses going into new spaces, not for the existing spaces. However she questioned if the county had some conditional use permits for check cashing businesses . Dowling stated that he knew of conditional use permits for check cashing places in other cities, but would check into the county's restrictions, if any.

The Directors discussed about asking the county planning staff to look into the county ordinance and see if they can make a determination/interpretation as to whether the ordinance has any special requirements for check cashing businesses and to further, follow up with the planning commission.

The Directors also reiterated that the Auto Zone sign was finalized, there would be no more discussion about color, size, etc. The owner needs to abide by what the Directors, the county and she had agreed upon.

Director Sheridan asked about the lot between Taco Bell and the Rickshaw restaurant on Hesperian. It is filled with high dry, weeds. Bruce Babcock, from Alameda County Zoning stated that he would follow up on this. Resident Dorothy Partridge asked that Babcock also look into the corner of Grant and Washington the lot is also filled with dry tall weeds. She also asked about the status of this lot. The Administrator stated that the traffic engineer had been working with the owner about the traffic issue for the proposed gas station. Dowling stated that he would inquire about the status and report back. Babcock stated that he was aware of the weeds and is following up with the owner. Director Ready asked Babcock about the status of the apartments on Manzanas and Arriba the owner is supposedly a resident. The Association sent a letter to him asking him to deal with some of the problems at this property and the letter was returned with "unable to deliver". Babcock stated that he had opened a file for weeds, inops and debris for this apartment complex and hopes to contact the owner this Friday, he will report back to the Board.

Director Sheridan asked Dowling the status of the old Festival Cinema property on Hesperian. Dowling stated that they are trying to market it right now and they are close to getting an interested developer.

3.4 Public Comment - Items not on the Agenda -- Resident Nancy Shelvy asked Alameda County Zoning what they had done about the house on the corner of Nielson and La Paloma. There is no vegetation, the fence is dilapidated, it needs paint and the weeds are high. Bruce Babcock, Zoning Enforcement Officer, stated that he has written up the house but it was not included in his June report. It should be on the July report. Shelvy also asked that the Association staff let her know what had been done. The Administrator asked Shelvy to contact staff member Kathleen Harrigan when she is back in the office next week.

Director Ready asked that the Board Agenda include a monthly report from Zoning Enforcement Officer Bruce Babcock to review properties referred to him. There were no objections from the Board.

4.0 FINANCIAL REPORT

4.1 Approval of June 2004 Expenditures and discussion of significant variances -- The Administrator reported that any variances would be discussed at the end of the year Audit which is being done shortly.

Director Sherman made a motion to approve the monthly financial expenditures including payroll, Director Pebelier seconded. The motion was approved unanimously.

5.0 LIEN AND VIOLATION REPORT -- The Administrator reported that no liens have been released since the last Board meeting.

June 2004 Violation Report

Number  Violation                              # of Letters

1/19    Inoperable Vehicles in driveway                35
2/22    Recreational veh/trailer in driveway            7
6       Lack of Gen Maintenance                        14
10      Lawn Height                                    32
11      Dead Trees                                      0
12      Overgrown Vegetation                            0
13      Holiday Lights                                  1
15      Building Exterior                               2
16      Dirt Accumulation                               9
17      Attractive Nuisances                            3
18      Lean/miss fence                                 1
20/7    Unpaved parking                                 4
21      Working on vehicles                             3
23      Dogs/Cats more than 2                           1
24      Barking dogs                                    5
25      Prohibited animals                              1
26      Excess noise                                    1
27      No Home Business                                0
28/99   Other/ comments                                 5
Total                                                 124

6.1 Variances approved/disapproved:

A. 539 Grant Ave. -- Addition with 3 ft setback. No Plans; postponed until owner submitted plans.

B. 17690 Via Toledo -- Playroom/storage structure. Approved.

C. Revisit 15724 Via Sonata -- Administrator is continuing working with the homeowner.

D. 16069 Via Segundo -- Back yard shed with 2 ft setback. Approved.

7.0 ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT

7.1 Report Via Segundo Traffic Meeting -- The Administrator reported that a few residents attended the first meeting. All residents in the surrounding area were notified by letter about the meeting. Some options came out of the first meeting from Alameda County Traffic Engineer, Bob Preston and another meeting will be held to consider a final plan in the near future.

7.2 Informational Items -- The Administrator reported that the new HARD fees will be phased in as adopted by the Board of Supervisors. The Administrator noted that Supervisor Lai Bitker voted not to phase them in as the Association Suggested but she was out voted. The Administrator also announced that the San Lorenzo Wine and Flower Festival will be held in the Mervyn Morris Park this weekend July 17th and 18th.

8.0 OTHER BUSINESS

8.1 East Bay Regional Park District Report - Doug Siden -- Siden introduced himself as San Lorenzo's new representative for the Park District due to redistricting. He left his card for residents should they have any concerns or questions. He stated that this Park district is the largest regional district in California and this year is their 70th Anniversary and he left brochures for residents in attendance about the recreational facilities included in the East Bay Regional Park Area.

8.2 San Lorenzo School Bond - Motion -- Arnie Glassburg, Superintendent of the San Lorenzo Unified School District spoke about a bond measure for San Lorenzo schools that will be on the ballot for the November election. This is the District's first bond in over 40 years. The bond money will not be used to fund administrator or teacher salaries but is very specific as to where the funds will be placed. (See Attachment A). These include library improvements, construction of middle school gyms, replacement of old portables, science labs for the middle schools, building improvements etc. If the bond should pass there will be a fiscal oversight committee with community involvement to review and overlook the funds and to ensure that they are used as they were originally directed.

School Board member, Barbara Sidari and resident, Dorothy Partridge stated that they were in favor of the bond measure as committee members for the campaign. Director Sheridan questioned how long the bond is for 20 years or more? Glassburg stated that the bond is to be sold only as needed. The community is only repaying the amount that the bond is originally for. Homes would be assessed as used by the school district. Each home would be assessed no more than $34 per year. All homes in the boundaries of the San Lorenzo Unified School District would be assessed.

Director Sherman stated that he supports the bond and gave a explanation as to how the amount of the bond was decided upon.

Director Sherman made a motion to support the bond measure for the San Lorenzo School District. Director Sheridan seconds, the motion carries unanimously.

Sidari announced that they will have information at a booth at the upcoming San Lorenzo Flower and Wine festival for all who are interested.

8.3 Garage Conversion Ordinanace -- (See Attachment B regarding Garage Conversions) County Staff member, Rodrigo Orduno handed out information outlining the recommendations for a new policy for garage conversions in the unincorporated Alameda County. There were seven conditions that must be met prior to any garage conversion application be considered. Along with these conditions there were two options on how a proposed conversion would be reviewed once it complied with the seven conditions. Option 1 would have a public hearing where the Planning commission would be the initial committee to review the application. Option 2 would hold a public hearing wherein the County Board of Zoning Adjustments would be the initial committee to review the variance (see Attachment B). The mailing and posting of the proposed conversion will still be in affect to the neighbors within a 300 ft radius of the perimeter of the applicant.

Director Ledesma moves to approve option 2 with no variances from the seven conditions outlined in the staff report, Director Sherman seconds, the motion carries unanimously.

The Administrator asked county staff whether a resident needs a permit to widen his or her driveway. Staff noted no permit is required, but the county Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance prohibits residents from paving over 50% of their front yard.

8.4 Report on Oro Loma Placement garbage carts -- Director Ready stated that she, staff member Kathleen Harrigan and resident John Partridge attended a meeting with Oro Loma board members, staff and Waste Management staff. Waste Management agreed to put the carts back where they are left and would help do an informational piece to go out to all residents in the Association. Ready said that this past week she saw carts left in the street even though homeowners had placed them at the edge of her driveway. She stated that the next time the Board meets with Oro Loma and Waste Management, she wanted to talk about their fine procedures when their drivers leave cans in the right of way of pedestrians and motorists.

The Administrator stated that staff of the Association is keeping tabs on complaints and encouraged homeowners to continue to contact us with respect to any problems with garbage carts left in the street or sidewalks.

9.0 PUBLIC COMMENT -- Barros announced that one of the mitigation measures recommended in the EIR for the Specific Plan for Hesperian Blvd has already been taken care of.

10.0 COMMITTEE REPORTS

10.1 Airport Committees -- Representative Ernie Delli Gatti had no report.

10.2 Library Committee -- Director Sheridan reported that there was discussion about changing the membership of the committee so that there was equal representation for all the unincorporated areas that the San Lorenzo Library services. Currently there are more members who live in San Lorenzo than other areas. The change in membership must go before the Board of Supervisors to be approved. This item is currently on the agenda for August 12, 2004. The committee pointed out that there is more San Lorenzo representation due to the fact that San Lorenzo individuals represent Friends of the Library and other groups.

11.0 COMMENTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS -- None.

12.0 ADJOURNMENT -- President Ready adjourned the meeting at 9:45 pm.

Respectfully Submitted,

Pat Pebelier
Secretary-Treasurer

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