1.1 CALL TO ORDER - The regular meeting of the San Lorenzo Village Homes Association Board of Directors was held Thursday, July 19, 2007. President Bieschke called the meeting to order at 7:40 pm.

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

1.3 ROLL CALL -- Directors Wulf Bieschke, Jim Sherman, Margaret Wright, Kathy Martins and Pat Pebelier were present.

2.O MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING -- Director Wright moved to approve the notes taken at Work session number 1152 and the Board minutes of June, 2007 meeting Number 1151. Director Martins seconds the motion. The Work Session notes and the Board minutes are approved unanimously.

3.0 COMMENTS FROM PUBLIC AGENCIES

3.1 Alameda County Sheriff's Dept. -- Deputy Litsky could not be present due to personal reasons. Deputy Luckett from the Sheriffs department gave the report, however the statistics were not broken out for San Lorenzo Village specifically but for the entire San Lorenzo Area. (See Attachments A and B)

Statistics for June 2007

                                      Change from
Crime                        Number   last month         Affected Streets                    

Stolen vehicles                              
Attempted Stolen Vehicles                     
Recovered Stolen Vehicles                    
Residential Burglary                          
Commercial Burglary                          
Auto Burglary                                 
Grand Theft                                  
Vandalism/graffiti                           
Robbery                                      

Luckett noted that her department has been doing a lot of alcohol enforcement. Restaurants and markets have both been targeted for selling to minors. The sheriff's department is currently providing seminars to new and old establishments about spotting and selling to minors. They have currently trained more than 45 employees at various establishments. They are coming down hard on these establishments and working with County Counsel to enforce loitering laws and provide security guards for various businesses that have been selling to minors. One of these establishments is The Union Jack Bar in Ashland. They have made them increase security and have forced them to paint and make the bar look more presentable to the surrounding neighborhood.

Deputy Luckett reported that the sheriff's Citizen's Academy just graduated some residents on May 30, 2007. There will be another opportunity to join the academy this coming fall. She noted that her department is working with the district attorney to cite street vendors selling food and other items without the proper permits. They have arrested some of these vendors recently. They are working with the District Attorney to see what type of enforcement they can use to prevent these street sales from continuing.

Luckett reported that upcoming events are National Night Out on Tuesday, August 7, 2007 and the Cop Shop BBQ on October 5, 2007 at the Presbyterian church in Castro Valley. All residents are encouraged to attend.

The Cop Shop is also enforcing the Noise Ordinance on vehicles whose stereos are above the acceptable decibel limit. They have given several tickets to motorists in the past month.

Resident Howard Beckman asked if the statistics include the Mt Eden Area that Luckett reported this month. Deputy Luckett stated that they did. Both resident Beckman and resident Kathie Ready asked that the sheriff's department provide the Association specific statistics that show the crime in the Village area. Without this information, the statistics are insignificant. The deputy stated that she would work with her group and the Association to get the stats just for our area.

Director Martins asked about the noise ordinance as related to a car alarm that continually goes off in her neighborhood. She stated that she has called the sheriff but did not get a good response. Luckett asked Martins to give her the specific address and she apologized that the sheriff did not respond in a positive manner. She stated that she will dispense someone out to the area once she has all the information from Martins. Luckett noted that the CopShop's hours are 9 am to 6 pm depending on their schedule of activities and sometimes it is difficult to reach them.

Beckman stated that the Association needs to educate residents about the Community Policing Unit and what they do. Community outreach it is very important.

3.2 CHP -- Officer Rob Tuazon reported on the following statistics:

CHP Statistics for June 2007

                                             Total for
Infraction               San Lorenzo      Unincorp. area
Collisions                        17              113
Tickets                          111              863
Parking Tickets                    5               68
Storage/Impounds                   5               48
Stolen Recoveries                  1               13
Traffic Complaints                                
Parking Complaints                                
DUI Arrests
Total warnings                    n/a           1,943                                       

Officer Tuazon noted that his department put up the temporary speed trailers on Grant Ave which were very successful in getting motorists to slow down.

Director Martins suggested that they put a speed trailer on Channel from Grant to Bockman Tuazon stated that they have been hitting that area off and on for awhile and he would get a trailer up within the next week.

Resident Keith Barros also asked that a speed trailer be put up on Grant between Channel and Washington.

Beckman asked about the notation on the CHP's report (See attachment C) that stated "FWY=571" -- what did that mean? Tuazon stated that those are tickets on the freeway separate from other notations on the report.

3.3 Supervisor Lai Bitker's Office -- Staff member, Kevin Dowling, reported that his office has been working with the Olson Company to help the building move forward. What is holding them up currently is a county map of the area that needs approval from the Board of Supervisors to begin the project. They are pushing to get this item on the agenda prior to the Board(s recess in August, so that it will not be postponed until September.

Dowling reported that the proposal for the BMX tract behind the San Lorenzo Adult School is on the Hayward Area Recreational Districts Agenda (HARD) for July, after which they will go before the San Lorenzo School Board. They have recently sent neighbors letters about the issue and are dealing with another homes association behind the school to get their input but have not heard anything from them as of yet.

Resident Keith Barros stated that it is his understanding that Waste Management has been asked to take a cooling off period for 90 days. He encouraged the county and local residents a to ask Waste Management and Oro Loma to withdraw the lock out of its employees and revisit the issue as suggested in 90 days.

President Bieschke noted that there is an item before the Board of Supervisors that would consider allowing a resident to pave over 50% of the front of his property on Delano Street. He encouraged Supervisor Lai Bitker to deny this request and support the county(s ordinance that is already being enforced in many instances in the Village and throughout the unincorporated county. Allowing this variance would negate the ordinance and make it difficult for communities to enforce. Dowling stated that he saw no reason to allow this variance to go forward and that the Supervisor is very aware of the ordinance that is currently in place.

The Administrator noted that it is very discouraging when an ordinance is set in place that the Supervisors do not encourage and adhere to its guidelines. If this individual should get a variance, it would make it increasingly difficult to enforce in San Lorenzo and other areas of the unincorporated county. Why do we pass ordinances, if not to enforce them?

Resident Kathie Ready encouraged Supervisor Lai Bitker to stand up for the community. When the community agrees support and abide by an ordinance and the Board of Supervisors decides otherwise, it is very disheartening to citizens in those districts who elected these Supervisors.

3.4 Zoning Enforcement Report (See Attachment D).

3.5 Public Comment - Items Not on the Agenda

Resident Keith Barros held up signs in support of the Waste Management workers who were locked out. He stated that if anyone wants a sign for their lawn or their car to come and see him after the meeting.

Resident Eva Bribiesca from Via Catherine introduced her husband as one of the Waste Management worker who was locked out. She wanted residents to know that ths situation has real live faces and families behind it who are suffering.

Barros noted that the meeting at Centennial Hall in Hayward to discuss El Portal and its inclusion in the Eden Ara Plan was quite a scene. Many residents did not understand the issues and there was a lot of mis-communication and misunderstanding about the issue. He noted that Planning Commissioner Kathie Ready took some big hits from the El Portal community but stated that San Lorenzo should be proud of her representation and how she held true to herself and the San Lorenzo Community when it came to this subject.

Resident Howard Beckman noted that the agenda is always subject to rearrangement by the Board if it deems it necessary. He was discouraged last month when the initial Public Comment was postponed until the end in lieu of other public speakers who were "timed agenda items". He stated that both the neighborhood watch and community engagement committee were rushed through without much input or discussion. Beckman noted that last month's barbeque did bring people to the meeting, however many left once the raffle was done. He stated the Association needs to have people involved, but involved more directly with the Homes Association and its duties rather than just the community at large. Beckman stated that this would invest community members into the Association's duties and daily tasks and create more of a connection with individual members of our Village.

Kevin Dowling applauded the Board's effort to get more community involvement at the meetings and in upcoming events. His office would continue to support any such efforts.

4.0 FINANCIAL REPORT

4.1 Approval of June 2007 Expenditures and discussion of significant variances -- The Administrator reported that she would wait for significant variances until audit report is out.

Director Sherman makes a motion to accept the financial report, Director Martins seconds the motion carries unanimously.

5.0 LIENS AND VIOLATIONS REPORTS

There have been no liens released since the last board meeting.

June 2007 Violation Report

Number  Violation                              # of Letters

1/19    Inoperable Vehicles in driveway               7
2/22    Recreational veh/trailer in driveway          7
6       Lack of General Maintenance                  10
10      Lawn Height                                  40
11      Dead Trees                                    0
12      Overgrown Vegetation                          0
13      Holiday Lights                                4
14      No signs                                      0
15      Building Exterior                             1
16      Dirt Accumulation                             2
17      Attractive Nuisances                          1
18      Lean/miss fence                               0
20/7    Unpaved parking                               5
21      Working on vehicles                           1
23      Dogs/Cats more than 2                         1
24      Barking dogs                                  4
25      Prohibited animals                            0
26      Excess noise                                  1
27      No Home Business                              2
28/99   Other/ comments                               3
99      Multiple violations                          13

Total                                               101

6.0 HEARINGS AND VARIANCE ISSUES

6.1 Hearings

16100 HESPERIAN BLVD. -- Lawn height. Violation cleared, closing.
449 HACIENDA AVENUE -- Trailer 36 hrs+. Violation cleared, closing.
15726 VIA CORTA -- Multiple/Lack of Gen.Maint. Working with homeowner to bring property into compliance; monitor for the next 60 days.
16065 VIA MEDIA -- Multiple/Lack of Gen. Maint. Lawn still very high; refer to County Code Enforcement and do title seach on owner, property now vacant.
670 VIA MIRABEL -- Dirt accumulation/multiple lack of gen. maint.; no plans. Refer back to county for illegal garage conversion; owner has agreed to remove all debris by 7/23/07 or will be fined (revisit in 60 days).
673 VIA MIRABEL -- Attract nuisances. Fine, refer to code enforcement and review in 30 days.
16089 VIA ALAMITOS -- Unpaved parking. No parking currently; monitor for 60 days and fine if reoccurs.
16082 VIA ALAMITOS -- Lawn height/parking on lawn/dirt area. Owner has no lawn, parking on dirt. Fine, refer to code enforcement, and review in 60 days.
16082 VIA ALAMITOS -- Work on cars; see above same address.
15952 VIA ALAMITOS -- Lawn height. Owner's relative called, working with them to get property into compliance.
949 HACIENDA AVENUE -- Lawn height. Owner to landscape by Jan 2008; will water until then; monitor for 90 days.
17158 VIA ALAMITOS -- Lawn height. Owner cut weeds, agrees to water; ongoing problem, monitoring for 90 days.
17032 VIA PASATIEMPO -- Multiple/Lack of Gen. Maint. Residence which was fire damaged has been fixed; front yard still high and dry; will check title to see if new owner and/or contact new owner regarding condition of front yard; revisit in 60 days.
17270 VIA ALAMITOS -- Lawn height. Lawn still tall; will check title; refer to code enforcement and revisit in 60 days.
1778 VIA NATAL -- General Maintenance of Property. Continued for 30 days so owner can bring property into compliance.
1749 BOCKMAN ROAD -- Lawn height. Lawn mowed, closing.
16194 VIA DEL ROBLES -- Multiple/Lack of Gen. Maint.; two inops in driveway, lawn dry, and paint needed on exterior. Administrator to contact landlord to bring property into compliance.
1531 VIA RANCHO -- General Maintenance of Property. Lawn green, but tall; asking owner to mow more regularly; monitor for 60 days.
16172 VIA MILOS -- Other-comments. Fine, refer to attorney.
16177 VIA MILOS -- Dirt accumulation. Fine, refer to attorney.
1975 VIA AMIGOS -- Other-comments. Owner did remove some pavement, not all as agreed; revisit in 30 days.
16024 VIA HARRIET -- Inoperable / unlicensed vehicle in the front or side yard. Violation cleared, close.

6.2 Variances -- Executive Session (Legal Matters )

1626 Via Mesa -- Variance for fence around yard. Owner to go to county to get ruling and restrictions for county then to revisit in August 2007.
1569 Via Escondido -- Second-story, revisited. Approved with modifications and specifications of screening balcony area from neighbor's back yard pool view.
1073 Via Honda -- Side yard fence. Approved.
1883 Bandoni Ave. -- Second-story variance. Approved.

Director Martins made a motion to approve the Hearings and Variances Director Sherman seconds. The Motion carries unanimously.

7.0 ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT

7.1 Informational Items -- The Administrator said that there will be a community clean up on Saturday, July 28, 2007. Volunteers will meet at the Association office at 9:00 am and will target various locations in the Village for litter and graffiti. More volunteers are needed! The Administrator asked that Rachel Cohen, reporter for the Daily Review, put something in the local paper to remind residents.

Resident Howard Beckman stated that this is a great opportunity to get local community service groups involved like the scouts or other organizations.

The Administrator announced that the San Lorenzo Library is hosting a Library Forum to be held Thursday, July 26, 2007 from 7-8:30 p.m. This is the community's opportunity to talk about its needs and concerns with respect to the library. All are welcome.

8.0 OTHER BUSINESS

8.1 Discussion of dead lawns in San Lorenzo -- President Bieschke stated that this is an important item when dealing with the Codes, Restrictions, and Covenants (CC&Rs) of the Association. He noted that we can fine homeowners who have dead lawns and we can take them to court, but in the long run will this resolve this? Residents need to take pride in their homes, but if they cannot afford to water during dry times then what is the Association to do.

The Administrator noted that staff does send out watering tips for dry lawns in an effort to educate residents, they also pursue tall lawns whether they are green or dry.

Resident Kathie Ready noted that this is just another dry winter. Her thoughts were the more excuses you allow people to give the more they will play into them. Her lawn is green because she waters it the right way, even in the midst of a drier season. People should take pride in where they live and not use the excuse of a "dry year" to discontinue maintaining their yards.

Resident Howard Beckman noted that this subject comes up every year. He suggested trying to encourage more drought tolerant gardens in front yards. He said that the question here is who will set our standards. Beckman stated that we do not have a shortage of water in this district at this time. The latest East Bay Mud newsletter stated that "there is no need for extraordinary measures at this time". The issue here is simply what standards are set by the Association. A letter will usually set these standards. Every year this issue is revisited. The Association needs to be willing to set standards and to educate and remind people how and when to water. He reminded the board of his suggestion to form a new CC&R committee that could review items such as this. This would actively get the community involved with the process of what the Association is up against. The Administrator stated that she was not sure how this committee would help the process.

Director Martins stated that she felt that although green lawns are important, there are other issues that are more important as far as the CC&Rs. She agreed that some of these properties are chronic, with every summer having a dead lawn. Her concern was where the Association places its priorities with the constraints of time and personnel.

Beckman again suggested a community committee. Resident Keith Barros suggested this be considered as an agenda item for the next meeting.

8.2 Letters regarding the Hayward Airport -- The Administrator noted that there was a meeting a couple of weeks ago that the Association had received information on, but no formal agenda. Beckman, Bieschke and the Administrator attended the meeting which involved the discussion of adding another fuel service station at the airport. This facility would be a "fixed base operator" gas facility and would be competitive with other facilities elsewhere. It would also have a repair department which would require an additional hangar. The board's concern is as a competitive fuel station it would be bringing in other airlines [aircraft] from outside areas to fuel up. This would increase traffic, noise, pollution, etc. The proposal currently has been approved for its FBO status, however the EIR has not been done as of yet.

Beckman stated that different residents have a different take on the airport noise. He suggested that this situation is best left to a committee that finds it to be a problem. He said that in the past few years the city of Hayward has not had a great relationship with the residents of the unincorporated area and their concerns.

Ready stated that when the EIR is done she will read it and make sure the issues relevant to San Lorenzo are addressed.

Beckman said that the EIR for this site would be a federal EIR and would not be certified by the city or necessarily discussed at any public venue. He cautioned everyone to keep on top of the status of the situation and to be very cognizant of what is going on.

8.3 General Plan Update President Bieschke went over the history of the general plan. He stated that for the past four years residents, county staff and politicians have been working on this plan to get it passed. Now it is being stalled due to one community that does not want to be included in the Eden Area Plan. He noted that the meeting at Centennial Hall got nasty and he commended both Planning Commissioners, Kathie Ready and Richard Hancocks for the way they handled themselves in light of all the criticism.

His main concern was what was this going to cost the tax payers in staff time and additional money and who would fund the changes.

Ready stated that she felt that her job was to defend our community and those of Ashland and Cherryland. There were several comments that were degrading about each of these communities. She said that she did not have a problem with those El Portal residents who currently had a Castro Valley address, school district and garbage service etc. The problem that she saw was that most of these residents have a San Leandro address, have Oro Loma for garbage service and go to San Lorenzo Schools. The next and final step to this process will be for the Board of Supervisors to make a final decision as to whether to include this community in the plan or not.

8.4 Variance for St. Christopher's Episcopal Church -- The Administrator stated that at the last board meeting she had asked the board for a consensus on this issue, but due to it not being on the agenda, it was tabled. Since that time the Association polled the immediate neighbors about the issues of running a child care facility at this church as well as renting out the facility for parties. We received no complaints about either issue with respect to the Church. The child care facility was approved for 24 children.

However, the hall rental issue was different than originally proposed. The initial letter of application stated that they would be renting out only to their parishioners, but, they were now advertising in the phone book. At the meeting of the Board of Zoning Adjustments, several neighbors, who are not in the Association, and live in the surrounding area came forth with concerns about the current parties that have occurred at the site.

The B.Z.A. members discussed the issue and pointed out that the church is zoned residential and thus cannot be rented out like our Association Hall as a business. It denied the application for anything but parishioners to rent the facility. It would also review the application for compliance in one year as was proposed by the Association. The pastor was very upset. She talked with the Administrator at length and was told that she would have to appeal before the Planning Commission. She has until this coming Monday to do this. The Administrator noted that she had told the pastor that even if they apply for the appeal, the board would likely reject it. She asked the Board if this would be their recommendation.

President Bieschke asked for the board's input and it was a unanimous consensus that if the church does file an appeal the Association Board would fight the application, wanting to adhere to the county ordinance that prohibits businesses in areas that are not zoned accordingly.

9.0 PUBLIC COMMENT -- None.

10.0 COMMITTEE REPORTS

10.1 Blue Ribbon Steering Committee -- President Bieschke stated that there was nothing to report at this time. They are holding a series of town hall meetings. The were introduced to the consultant and went over issues that were thought to be of importance and reviewed.

The Administrator noted that in light of the El Portal issue and its concern with being included with San Lorenzo and Ashland in the Eden Area Plan, what we are all dealing with are issues of economics. She stated that we should all be very concerned about how the county is representing our area. The only resolution she could see was to adopt a Community Manager for the area to look at the communities as a whole and not single them out into different sectors. She noted that she is extremely frustrated and disappointed with the process at this time and the way our unincorporated communities are being represented.

11.0 COMMENTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS

Director Martins thanked everyone for their support. She noted that due to complications with her pregnancy she has been unable to be as active in the community as she has wanted to be. She apologized in advance as she may not be present for the next meeting due to the scheduled birth of her child.

Director Sherman noted that two (2) of San Lorenzo's Little League teams are in the District Divisions. In a few weeks San Lorenzo will also host the third highest tournament in our district at our Little League Field. This is quite an honor for our Little League, our district and our community.

Director Wright stated that her job has changed and she currently has to work Saturdays, thus she will not be able to attend any of the cleanups on that day.

Director Pebelier thanked everyone for being at the meeting and encouraged them to invite friends.

12.0 ADJOURNMENT -- President Bieschke adjourned the meeting 10:04 PM.

RESPECTFULLY Submitted,

Pat Pebelier
Secretary-Treasurer

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