The regular meeting of the San Lorenzo Village Homes Association Board of Directors was held Thursday, September 15, 2005.

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 and Director Patrick Ledesma were all present.

2.O MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING -- Director Sheridan moved to approve the minutes from the August 18, 2005, meeting Number 1111. Director Pebelier seconds the motion. The minutes are approved unanimously.

3.0 COMMENTS FROM PUBLIC AGENCIES

3.1 Alameda County Sheriff's Dept -- Deputy Franco noted that Deputy Finton is on light duty after his injury with the Copp Shop. He gave the following statistics for the past month:

Statistics for Alameda County Sheriff's Office July/August 2005

                                                Change from
Crime                           Number          last month         Affected Streets

Stolen vehicles                    1              -15              Corte Angelo    
Attempted Stolen Vehicles          2               +2              Channel and Grant
Recovered Stolen Vehicles                                       
Residential Burglary               2               -4              Paseo Largavista, Via Manzanas
Commercial Burglary                1               -1              n/a             
Auto Burglary                      4               -3              Via Amigos, Via Frances, Grant, 
                                                                   Paseo Largavista
Grand Theft                        1               -2              Grant
Vandalism/graffiti                 2               +1              Paseo Grande, San Lorenzo HOA 
Robbery                            2                0              Hacienda, Paseo Grande               

He reported that the annual BBQ fund raiser for the Cop Shop will be held on Friday, October 7, 2005 at the First Presbyterian Church on Grove Way in Castro Valley. He invited all residents to attend. Tickets are $10.00 donation for adults and a $5.00 donation for children. There are also several raffles that will be held at the event. He noted that the tickets can be purchased at the Homes Association office or at the Cop Shop.

Franco noted that on October 5, 2005 they will be holding their bi-annual Citizen's Academy for residents interested in learning about the Sheriff's department and how they deal with a variety of situations and subjects.

A resident asked why there is not a "crime blotter" in the local paper like there was in the past, which reports statistics of crime in the San Lorenzo area. Franco was unclear as to why they had discontinued this practice, but noted that crime statistics are always available via the Cop Shop and reported at each San Lorenzo Homes Association monthly meeting.

Director Pebelier asked about the auto burglary and the residential burglary on Paseo Largavista that were reported in this months crime statistics. Were they from the same home? Franco stated that he did not know if it was the same address but could check and report back to the Board.

3.2 CHP -- Deputy Hahn reported on the following statistics:

CHP Statistics for August/Sept. 2005

                                             Total for
Infraction               San Lorenzo      Unincorp. area
Collisions                       12                160
Tickets                         210              2,121 
Parking Tickets                 102                368   
Storage/Impounds                 12                181    
Stolen Recoveries                 3                  2    
Parking Complaints               49                307      
DUI Arrests                                        n/a   

The Administrator noted that in October the Association will be starting its weekly street sweeping schedule. She asked that the CHP ticket the parking in Mondays area via the posted signs. The street sweeper and residents have reported sporadic enforcement. Deputy Hahn noted that he would pass the word onto his Captain about the street sweeping signs and enforcement.

3.3 Supervisor Alice Lai-Bitker -- Staff member Kevin Dowling thanked the Board and the staff of the Homes Association for their dedication and hard work in coordinating the San Lorenzo Village Homes Association's 60th anniversary celebration and parade. He noted that he heard a lot of positive feedback from the residents as well as the participants.

The Directors thanked Dowling and Supervisor Lai Bitker's office for their participation and assistance in coordinating the parade and the event.

3.4 Zoning Enforcement Report -- (See Attachment A) Bruce Babcock from Alameda County Zoning Enforcement reported that his office is investigating complaints in the San Lorenzo area for excessive garage sales. The county ordinance states that a resident can only have two (2) garage sales in a one year period. He noted that he has had a number of complaints about excessive sales being held in the unincorporated areas.

Resident Mark Winshel noted that there are several houses having garage sales on the weekend. Director Ready noted that she is watching for this on the weekends and is reporting it to Babcock or Association staff.

Director Sheridan asked what is happening with the Old Pizza Joint that burned down several months ago. There appears to be a cigarette business that has moved into that building. Babcock was unsure what the status of the building or the business was. He stated that he knew that the old owner was trying to sell his business. He would look into this and report back to Association staff.

Deputy Franco stated that the sheriff's can look into this business with respect to an ABC license to see if they are a legitimate business. He said that he would stop in at this business tomorrow.

Resident Liz Thayer asked if a shed can be converted into a second unit. Babcock stated that this is illegal without a variance and re-zoning the property. He noted that the difference is if someone is sleeping in a shed and there has been no actual conversion, then the county has no enforcement. However, if someone has a bathroom, running water and other renovations that constitute a second dwelling then the county can pursue the matter. All complaints of sheds and/or other structures being converted are investigated and the property owner is given notice of a pending inspection by the county.

A resident asked if they can have electricity out to a shed. Babcock said that you can have electricity to a separate unit if it is done by code. You cannot have an extension cord running to the unit to provide electricity.

The Administrator asked that if there are additional complaints after an initial investigation, can county staff then drop in on a residence without any notice. Bruce noted that he has made drop-in inspections on these type of complaints, if the initial investigation turns up with no violation. He realizes that once you notify an owner he has time to take out any sign of sleeping structures/electricity etc. that may constitute it as a second unit. He also noted that he can bring the sheriff deputies with him in some cases. Babcock stated that the residence that Thayer is concerned with on Via Arriba is set up for a site inspection next Tuesday.

3.5 Public Comment - Items Not on the Agenda.

Resident Keith Barros complimented the Board on the 60th Anniversary. He stated that it was a very positive event and thanked all involved.

The Administrator thanked both Keith Barros and Jim Ready for volunteering to install the lettering on the new portico. They did an outstanding job and should be commended for the time and effort they put into beautifying the building.

Resident Mark Winshell noted that two more cannabis clubs in the area were robbed. He said that he had newspaper articles for anyone interested.

A representative from CommPre (Community Prevention of Alcohol-Related Problems) brought in information on a new type of "candy" that some businesses are selling to minors. See Attachment B. It is called "Chronic Candy" and is marijuana-flavored and sold like marijuana in "nickle" bags in smoke shops, convenient stores, gas stations and over the internet. It is not something you can get intoxicated by because it contains no THC, but it is the implication to minors that they are "cool" when they buy this candy that is disturbing. CommPre is trying to help draft a state ordinance outlawing the sale of this candy and has a petition for all interested residents to sign. She also asked whether the Association Board would be willing to support CommPre in the form of a letter to the Board of Supervisors. (See Attachment C.)

Representative Kevin Dowling from Supervisor Lai Bitker's office stated that it would be difficult for the Board of Supervisors to ban a candy. Even if you ban a name, they owner could re-name it something else.

The Association Board noted that although the Board of Supervisors would have a difficult time "banning" a candy, they could control the way it was advertised and packaged to promote "drug" use or terminology.

4.0 FINANCIAL REPORT

4.1 Approval of August 2005 expenditures and discussion of significant variances -- The Administrator reported that there were no significant variances this month and noted that the yearly audit will be done within 2 weeks and mailed out to homeowners via the newsletter.

Director Sherman makes a motion to approve the expenditures (including payroll) and variances for August 2005, Director Pebelier seconds the motion. The motion carries unanimously.

5.0 LIENS AND VIOLATIONS REPORTS -- The Administrator reported that there were no liens released this month. The Violation letters sent were as follows:

August 2005 Violation Report

Number  Violation                              # of Letters

1/19    Inoperable Vehicles in driveway                  11
2/22    Recreational veh/trailer in driveway             12
6       Lack of General Maintenance                       6
10      Lawn Height                                      20
11      Dead Trees                                        0
12      Overgrown Vegetation                              0
13      Holiday Lights                                    0
14      No signs                                          0
15      Building Exterior                                 1
16      Dirt Accumulation                                 3
17      Attractive Nuisances                              0 
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                                      2
25      Prohibited animals                                0
26      Excess noise                                      3
27      No Home Business                                  1
28/99   Other/ comments                                   5
99      Multiple violations                               7
Total                                                    75

6.0 HEARINGS AND VARIANCE ISSUES

6.1 Hearing Dispositions

a) 16111 Via Harriet -- Car parked on lawn. Violation cleared.
b) 1113 Via Coralla -- Inoperative vehicle stored in the driveway. Refer to attorney.
c) 1627 Keller Ave -- Dead Lawn; Owner is planning on re-landscaping, is bringing in plans at next work session. Continued until next month.
d) 1407 Via Manzanas -- Trailer Stored in Driveway. Violation resolved.
e) 1778 Via Natal -- Lawn dead, debris on lawn; inoperative vehicles parked on lawn and in driveway, curtains unsightly. Refer to attorney.
f) 1967 Via Amigos -- Inoperative vehicle and debris in driveway. Pavement over 50% of front yard as well as other violations. Refer to attorney and county zoning.
g) 17262 Via Chiquita -- No landscaping/dirt in front yard. Continued for 30 day review; owner is putting in sprinkler and planting lawn by 9/30/05.
h) 1044 Via Honda -- Inoperative vehicles in driveway, side lawn dead; cars are registered per owner but are not used frequently. Board asked that he show proof of registration and that the vehicles be kept clean around and underneath. Resident would also take them out on a weekly basis and lawn area will be replanted at side of residence or he will submit plans for ext. of driveway within 30 days-revisit in October work session.
i) 1709 Bockman -- Dead Lawn; owner agrees to water and green the front lawn within 30 days. Board to revisit at October work session.
j) 2000 Keller Ave -- Lawn dead/trailer on lawn. Resolved.
k) 15729 Paseo Largavista -- Inoperative vehicle in driveway. Resolved.

6.2 Variances

A) 1213 Via Los Trancos -- Second-story addition. The Board is waiting approval pending neighbor review of the plans.
B) 16191 Via Arriba -- Move/extend driveway and add 6 ft fence. Continued; owner never brought in plans.
C) 574 Paseo Del Rio -- Resubmit plans for driveway extension with brick material instead of concrete. Board President and Administrator to do a site visit of property and talk with homeowner about material. Will approve if homeowner is within CC&R specifications.

Director Sheridan made a motion to approve the hearing and variance issues. Director Ledesma seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

7.0 ADMINISTRATOR REPORT

7.1 Informational Items -- The Administrator thanked all the residents who participated in the 60thAnniversary celebration. She noted that the Sheriff's department estimated there were close to 2000 people who were at the event and the parade.

7.2 Bockman Center and Civic Partners update -- The Administrator said that the Association Board was concerned with the height and the density of the Bockman project. They have forwarded a letter to the developers and the county with these concerns.

She also reported that Civic Partners is very close to signing a deal with Bohannon. They have been negotiating for the past few months with them back and forth and feel that they will start breaking ground in the old Mervyns Square area sometime next year. Civic did speak with Albertsons Food Chain on Monday. Even though Albertsons chain is thinking of selling, Civic has said that it will not prohibit them from moving forward.

7.3 Further Review but No Recommendation of Resident Peter Hagberg's Marijuana Lawsuit -- The Association Board continued this issue for next month's agenda, due to the fact they did not feel they had enough time to fully review and discuss the issue.

8.0 OTHER BUSINESS

8.1 Community Service Area -- The Administrator noted that this item was brought to her attention via Board President, Kathie Ready. It appears that the County Public Works had requested an item to be discussed on the upcoming LAFCO agenda that would create a CSA (Community Service Area) in the unincorporated area of West County that would include San Lorenzo. This would enable the Public Works department to extend their services in an area and charge extra for these services.

The Board was concerned that the Public Works Department initiated this without any notice or discussion before the Association Board or the public. The Association also never received a staff report outlining the project. Thus, the Board forwarded a letter to LAFCO noting their objections to this item being considered at this time. (See Attachment D.)

Dowling noted that this issue has been brought up to the community at the Unincorporated Services Meeting and discussed several times. Director Ready stated that the last time it was presented before the Unincorporated Services meeting it was very unclear and not specific. There was more discussion about why the project used the term "shell" and what it's definition was than any substantive matter on what the project would entail or when and how they were planning on implementing it. Ready noted that at the very minimum, the Association should have received a staff report.

The consensus of the Board was to put this item on the agenda for it's October Board meeting and to request a staff report and other information that they could review prior to this meeting.

9.0 PUBLIC COMMENT

Resident Barros commended the Board for its approach to the CSA issue. He noted that the county has pushed things ahead in the past without much community input and he is glad the Board is on top of this issue.

Resident Liz Thayer noted that while she was on vacation the sheriff's department was called out to her house because a neighbor was concerned with her water that had been left on for over 24 hours. The neighbor tried to knock on Thayer's door and there was no answer, so she called the Sheriffs out to the property thinking that something had happened to Thayer. Thayer noted that they broke down her door and destroyed an alarm system that is still not in working order. She wanted to lodge a formal complaint because she said that one of her neighbor's is always informed of when she is gone and what she is doing. If the sheriffs would have knocked on this neighbor's door, they would have realized that she was out of town. She thought that the Sheriff's department acted in haste and destroyed her property unjustly.

Director Ready noted that her husband is a firefighter and often has to enter a building where it is reported an elder person may be in danger. Their main purpose is to save a life and to deal with any property damage later. She noted that sometimes there are errors and that damage is done. However, it is always with the intent of any emergency personnel or law officers who are on the scene to save a life, not to damage or cause malice to a person or their property.

A resident from Keller Ave, Mr. Fannuchi, and Mr. Plawser from Bockman Avenue asked the board what its stance is on the Bockman Development that has been proposed by the Olsen Company. They were both very concerned about the housing proposed and noted that they would rather see another commercial development as well as would many of the residents around that area. These two residents did not believe the Board was vying for the interests of the community with respect to this development and wanted to know how each Board member felt about the proposal for the project.

Director Ready noted that there has been no stance taken by the Board. The process is still ongoing. As was previously noted by the Administrator, the Board is concerned with the density and the height of the housing proposed, but no stance has been made on behalf of the community. Responses to the draft EIR have not even been released yet.

Director Ledesma noted that although they have not taken a position on the project. He is concerned that if the project is all commercial it will not be attractive to a developer. The location of the shopping centers is key to its success. Developers will not do anything with a commercial property unless it makes fiscal commercial sense.

Director Ready further pointed out that the Association has no control over what is put into commercial properties. If the shopping center is left all commercial, it is up to the owner to attract the businesses. The Association does not have any control over what eventually goes into a business center.

Director Sheridan assured the residents that no position has been voted upon by the Board and it would be premature at this stage for the Board to have an opinion.

Director Ready noted that the Board is attending all the county hearings about the proposed re- zoning related to this property. Nothing is set in stone at this point. The Olsen Company has signed an agreement with the property owners for an option to purchase. The Homes Association does not control the re-zoning aspect of this property, the county has control over this and the Board of Supervisors.

The Administrator asked the residents what would attract a commercial business to that area? Mr. Plawser stated that he was a realtor and said that he could find retail that would want to start business in that area. The Board said that if a commercial developer was to come before the Board, they would be more than happy to review the plan.

The residents were still concerned that the residents did not have enough of a "voice" in this development. The Board consensus was to direct the Administrator to send out a questionnaire to all residents about what they want for this shopping center. This will be sent out at the same time as the annual assessments at the first part of December 2005.

Resident Ishmael Perez asked whether HARD has been informed of the eyesore Del Rey Park has become. There are homeless people living in the park, the play ground is dirty and the bleachers are in poor condition. Director Ready assured him that she will be going to the HARD Board meeting next Tuesday and will bring up the issue to the HARD representatives and make sure that improvements are made. She will ask HARD members to deal with the homeless issue as well as the graffiti she has seen in many of the surrounding parks.

10.0 COMMITTEE REPORTS

10.1 Airport Committee Update -- No report.

10.2 Economic Development Committee -- Director Ledesma noted that the committee is focusing on how to highlight San Lorenzo Businesses during the holidays. Their current theme is "Shop San Lorenzo during the holidays" and the committee is looking at more ways to promote this with businesses as well as residents.

11.0 COMMENTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS -- Director Pebelier wanted to note that she appreciated all the hard work and effort that staff of the Homes Association contributed to the 60th Anniversary event.

12.0 ADJOURNMENT -- Director Ready adjourned the meeting at 9:38 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Pat Pebelier
Secretary-Treasurer

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