The regular meeting of the San Lorenzo Village Homes Association Board of Directors was held Thursday, September 17, 2004.

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, Peggy Sheridan were present. Director Patrick Ledesma was absent due to being out of town.

2.O MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING -- Director Sheridan moved to approve the minutes from the August 18, 2004, meeting Number 1097. Director Pebelier seconds the motion. The minutes are approved unanimously.

3.0 COMMENTS FROM PUBLIC AGENCIES

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

Statistics for August 19, 2004

Crime                       Number   Change from last month   Affected Street

Stolen vehicles                 1               -2            Via Honda
Attempted Stolen Vehicles       0                0                      
Recovered Stolen Vehicles       2               -1            Channel and Grant
Residential Burglary            0               -5            
Commercial Burglary             0               -6            
Auto Burglary                   3               -4            
Grand Theft                     0               -4            
Graffiti                        2                0            Via Sonata, via Bregani 
Robbery                         1                0            Grant/via Seco

Ready and other Board members noted that the signs that used to be at each intersection on Hesperian noting "no trucks with x amount of tons" allowed in the residential neighborhoods have been taken down. She asked the county or the sheriff's department to look into this. Bruce Babcock from Alameda County Zoning noted that he would follow up on the signs.

Resident Keith Barros stated that he still is concerned with the signs that are being posted by KMEL. Deputy Finton noted that he has been in contact with Tona at Alameda County Zoning. Babcock said that he would follow up on this issue as well.

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

CHP Statistics for August 2004

Infraction               San Lorenzo     Total for Unincorp. area
Collisions                      20                        130
Tickets                        230                        910
Parking Tickets                 37                        165
Storage/Impounds                24                        116
Stolen Recoveries                1                         20
Parking Complaints             n/a                       n/a

Total tickets for Hayward Area CHP:  1,075

A resident questioned who they contact when there are issues of parking problems on the street. Goldhammer stated that they should contact their Castro Valley Office which is now a new station for the area. The resident noted that the officer he spoke with had said that it would be a few days prior to him being able to get out to that area. Golhammer assured the resident that someone would be dispatched to look into parking problems. The CHP has been inundated with calls since the Sheriffs department lost its technicians, but they are working to dispatch officers as quickly as they can. He stated that there would be a luncheon for the public on October 1, 2004 to show residents their new dispatch station and to introduce them to officers and staff.

3.3 Supervisor Alice Lai-Bitker -- Kevin Dowling reported for Lai Bitker. The Administrator asked whether the ticket fines for these truckers parking illegally on private property could be increased. Dowling noted that this issue could be brought up at the Unincorporated meeting to later discuss with the Supervisors. Dowling also reported that the county is working on a Noise Ordinance that will be brought up at the Unincorporated meeting in October.

Director Ready stated that she saw something in the paper that the Supervisors approved the "CSA" which included the Village area. Dowling noted that the CSA is the "County Service Area" and the Supervisors recently voted to enact for the unincorporated areas. The Administrator noted that the idea of a CSA was never discussed at the unincorporated meeting. She recommended that someone be present at the upcoming meeting to answer questions and discuss what a CSA would mean for the San Lorenzo area.

3.4 Zoning Enforcement Report -- Bruce Babcock reported on zoning enforcement for the month of August (see attachment A).

Director Sheridan asked what the status is of the vacant next to McDonalds on Hesperian. She noted that the weeds are very tall and it has been vacant for quite some time. Babcock noted that Mr. Chau's owns the lot and he decided not to build a restaurant on the property because he found a vacant building to open his business in down the street. Babcock noted that he has already cited the owner for the lot and is now going through the process of fining him and trying to clear up the property. He noted that he would be meeting with the owner next month and would find out what his intentions are for the lot at that time.

Babcock was asked about the car canopy's that are being installed everywhere in the area. He noted that of they are visible from the street they are in violation of the Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance. Garbage cans also have to be placed at the rear of the property or screened by a fence.

A resident asked what can be done about property owners that own businesses in the area but do not keep their lots and businesses free of transients, junked vehicles etc. He noted that the Bockman shopping centers are horrible. There are people living out of cars, behind both centers. There is garbage and debris throughout the area and the buildings that were burned over a year ago are still sitting there with no renovation or repair.

The Administrator noted that it would be a good idea if the residents concerned met with staff from Supervisor Lai Bitker's office, the Alameda County Sheriff's, the property owners, the Association and zoning staff to see what can be done. The Administrator noted that she would set up such a meeting to help resolve some of the issues related to those shopping centers and to address residents concerns.

Dowling noted that he has reported the problems at the Bockman centers to both the sheriffs and to the zoning staff. Babcock said that both owners have been informed of the problems but have been non-responsive. He has chased transients off the properties himself many times and has also had the sheriffs involved on multiple occasions. The problem is that the lots have no signs for enforcement of trespassing. The owners have been notified that signs would help with enforcement, but again have refused to do anything. The Administrator noted that a meeting would be set up as soon as possible to address these issues.

3.5 Public Comment - Items not on the Agenda -- Resident Howard Beckman questioned whether the advertisement for information on Measure E was a paid advertisement. The Administrator noted that it was. Beckman stated he would like to come and review the payments for advertisements in the newsletter. The Administrator noted that any homeowner could come into the office and review financial information.

Mrs. Mosher on Via Sonata in San Lorenzo said that the letter to her neighbor about his plans for a driveway near her property indicated that he leave 1 ft of non-pavement between the existing fenceline and his new driveway. Mrs. Mosher believed that the fence was not on the property line. She hired a surveyor who stated that the fence was 6" into her property line. There is also a county easement for a total of 5 feet between the property lines. Each has 2 1/2 feet on the owners respective sides. She expects that the June letter should reflect this fact or be rescinded based on this fact. She also wanted to know why none of Mr. Perez's shrubs had been removed or trimmed he was told to do this and she feels he has still not done what he has been told.

The Administrator stated that the board, her staff and she have been to the subject property on multiple occasions, she is currently working with the owner to resolve the issues and she is always more than willing to discuss any matters with Ms. Mosher and suggested that she come and meet with her regarding the ongoing concerns she has.

4.0 FINANCIAL REPORT --

4.1 Approval of August 2004 Expenditures and discussion of significant variances -- The Administrator reported that there were no significant variances to report.

Director Sheridan makes a motion to approve the August 2004 expenditures, including payroll, Director Pebelier seconds. The motion carries unanimously.

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

August 2004 Violation Report

Number  Violation                              # of Letters

1/19    Inoperable Vehicles in driveway                12
2/22    Recreational veh/trailer in driveway            9
6       Lack of Gen Maintenance                        16
10      Lawn Height                                    21
11      Dead Trees                                      0
12      Overgrown Vegetation                            0
13      Holiday Lights                                  0
15      Building Exterior                               0
16      Dirt Accumulation                               5
17      Attractive Nuisances                            2
18      Lean/miss fence                                 1
20/7    Unpaved parking                                 2
21      Working on vehicles                             0
22/2    Recreational vehicle in driveway                8
23      Dogs/Cats more than 2                           1
24      Barking dogs                                    2
25      Prohibited animals                              0
26      Excessive noise                                 2
27      No Home Business                                1
28/99   Other/ comments                                 5
Total                                                  79

6.1 Hearings

a) 15849 Hesperian Blvd -- Exterior paint, no approval/no plans. Board asked owner to submit paint and repaint front of property only within 60 days.

b) 998 Bockman -- Dead lawn. Continued for 30 days; owner to plant sod by next board meeting.

c) 17481 Via Susana -- Inoperative/stored Vehicle. Owner to get rid of vehicle within 2 weeks.

6.2 Variances/Approved, Disapproved or Continued at Work Session

A 16116 Via Primero -- Review vinyl fence, 3 ft vinyl fence to separate properties. Approved.

B. 17059 Via Anacapa -- Review fence/garage. Owner was asked to submit plans and rebuild the fence and gate in the next two months.

C. 15832 Via Alamitos -- Walkway extension. Denied; owner has over 50% concrete already.

D. 16101 Hesperian -- Canvas carport was removed; no review necessary.

E. 17980 Via Arriba -- Front yard fence. Continued; no plans submitted.

F. 17411 Via Carmen -- Revisit shed. No new revisions; owner will be asked to revise by Oct 21, 2004 when board will decide final decision on structure.

G. 15819 Via Nueva -- Side/front yard fence. Approved side yard 6 ft fence with 12 ft setback from street.

H. 16006 Via Harriet -- Front yard wrought iron fence to go around front yard (corner property). Denied as submitted; too high.

I. 17121 Via Alamitos -- Walkway and handicap ramp. Denied as submitted; owner to work with administrator on additional plans.

Director Sherman made a motion to approve the variance decisions, Director Sheridan seconded, the motion carries unanimously.

7.0 ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT -- The Administrator had no report this month.

8.0 OTHER BUSINESS

8.1 Presentation of Proposal to Incorporate San Lorenzo -- Richard Hancock discussed the proposal of making San Lorenzo and the other surrounding neighborhoods of Ashland and Cherryland into a city. There are roughly 70 thousand people in 7 square miles. Many people have questioned the feasibility of making this area a city. LAFCO would be investigating the feasibility of incorporation prior to any ballot item or movement towards incorporation. Hancock stated that many people feel that it is feasible because the area has enough individuals and a sufficient tax base to make it so. He stated that incorporation would not pose any more taxes on individuals, no more than what they are already paying to the county.

Director Ready asked what was the main benefit of incorporation. Hancock stated that with incorporation the community would have more local control. Now the communities are governed by the Board of Supervisors, of which some have no vested interest in the areas, yet get to vote as to what happens in these areas. Hancock noted that years ago the area was sparsely populated, but now it is quite large as a unit. Our economic development has not been a priority for the county and many people in these areas have been crying for the same benefits and services that the cities surrounding them seem to be getting. Incorporation would have a local government that is responsible and continuously involved in the area. The local government would manage any redevelopment as well as the economic development for the area.

Hancock noted that fire, water, and garbage would all not be affected because they service an area larger than themselves. A resident asked where the seed money would come from to incorporate and would the taxes increase for the area. Hancock stated that all the fees that currently go to the county would be reallocated to the city. This revenue is approximately 22 million dollars. Taxes could not be raised unless the residents voted to approve the raise in taxes.

Director Sheridan asked what the down sides are to the proposal. Hancock stated that he did not see any real down sides but this is a new idea and they are venturing into unknown territory, the more they explore the possibility the more the pros and the cons will come into sight. The proposal for incorporation would have to come to the public in petition form. Sheridan wanted to know how he would get the information out to the public. She noted that if someone handed her a petition without the pros and cons of the issue she would not be inclined to sign it. Hancock said that they still have to create the petition campaign. He and others supporting the issue would have personal contact with individuals so that they could ask questions directly to someone.

It was asked as to what the procedure for incorporation would be. Hancock noted that first they would need to ask LAFCO to study the feasibility of the idea. If LAFCO finds incorporation to be a viable proposition, the proponents of the idea would want it to be on the November 2006 election. In the interim those pushing for incorporation would have to get the word out to the public in petition form to place it on the ballot.

8.2 Policy for request for information on Homeowners -- The Administrator noted that they the Association needs approval for the new Homeowners contact information. This would allow association members to get other members information and addresses. Resident Howard Beckman asked why this was being discussed again when he thought it had already been adopted. Director Ready noted that this is the second reading of the policy and is required for it to be adopted. Beckman noted that this policy is contrary to the law that states that homeowners in an Association have the right to the "member list". Ready pointed out that all residents can go down to the county recorders office and obtain this information, it is public information. The Administrator added that the Association is always willing to write to the owner on behalf of the requesting party and does so often.

A resident stated that he does not feel that other residents should be able to get this information from the Association and questioned what the policy would entail. The Administrator noted that once a homeowner requested another residents information, the Association would inform the person that another resident wanted his or her information. They would have five (5) days with which to respond and note their objections to disclosing the information. Director Sheridan stated that she thought five (5) days was too short of a time period to respond. She suggested that ten (10) days be used instead of five. Director Sherman asked how many requests the Association gets in a year period. The Administrator stated that the office gets approximately twelve (12) in one year's period. Director Ready stated that most of the residents who the requests are made for are landlords who do not live in the house. The Administrator stated that the requests for this type of information are mostly for landlords who do not live at the residence.

Barros asked why the Association was changing its policy. Director Ready noted that it was because a resident requested the change and in accordance with our attorney we came up with the new policy.

Director Sherman made a motion to adopt the new policy. Director Pebelier seconded. The vote was as follows 3-in favor, 1 abstention (Sheridan).

8.3 Proposed Project for Bockman Shopping Center -- The Administrator reported that the new developer has met with the owners. He said that he is having a difficult time negotiating with the existing owners and they are still in the process with them. The developer cannot talk about his ideas for the area until he comes to an agreement with the current owners.

A resident asked whether the Supervisors have slated that area for low income housing. The Administrator stated no. Nothing has come before the Association and would have to come to the association prior to being implemented.

9.0 PUBLIC COMMENT

Resident Barros noted that if San Lorenzo was a city it would have more accountability for residents and businesses maintaining properties. He noted that the zoning enforcement has been very responsive to San Lorenzo.

Resident Mr. Winshel stated that if San Lorenzo became a city he believed that the response from the law enforcement would be affected and would not be as prompt.

10.0 COMMITTEE REPORTS

10.1 Airport Committees -- The Administrator reported that there is a letter from Brent Shiner from the Hayward Airport who refers to the stage-four aircraft stndards. Shiner is writing to Washington to reduce the noise that has been coming from these aircrafts. Howard Beckman reported that this has already been decided internationally and is a mute point.

The Administrator asked the Board whether it still wanted to continue to have Ernie Delligati represent it on the airport committees. The Board had no objections.

10.2 Library Committee -- Director Sheridan stated that there will be serval committee meetings to help develop a vision for Library service in the unincorporated areas. The meeting will be held in all unincorporated areas of the county from now until November. (See attachment C)

11.0 COMMENTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS -- Director Ready thanked all who were in attendance and asked them to return next month.

12.0 ADJOURNMENT -- President Ready adjourned the meeting at 10:04 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Pat Pebelier
Secretary-Treasurer

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