The regular meeting of the San Lorenzo Village Homes Association Board of Directors was held Thursday, November 17, 2005.

1.1 CALL TO ORDER -- President Kathie Ready called the meeting to order at 7:31 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 Sherman moved to approve the minutes from the October 20 2005, meeting Number 1113. Director Pebelier seconds the motion. The minutes are approved unanimously.

3.0 COMMENTS FROM PUBLIC AGENCIES

3.1 CHP Report -- The CHP gave the following statistics for the past month's tickets/citations:

CHP Statistics for October 2005

                                             Total for
Infraction               San Lorenzo      Unincorp. area
Collisions                       24                168
Tickets                         138              1,447 
Parking Tickets                  58                288   
Storage/Impounds                 16                146    
Stolen Recoveries                 3                 18    
Traffic Complaints               68                338      
DUI Arrests                     n/a                 62   

Staff member, Kathleen Harrigan asked that the CHP patrol the trucks that are parking for more than 72 hours on Via Arriba in front of the old Mervyns parking lot. They have "Three Brothers Moving" on the side of each truck. She also mentioned that on Hacienda Ave and Bockman areas where she has had several complaints about cars parking up on the sidewalk.

3.2 Alameda County Sheriff's Dept. -- Deputy Franco was not present at the meeting. No report was given.

Statistics for Alameda County Sheriff's Office October 2005

                                                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                                                         

3.3 Supervisor Alice Lai-Bitker -- Staff member, Shawn Wilson said that on December 14, 2005 from 3 pm to 7pm, the Supervisor is hosting its holiday party in its San Lorenzo office on Hesperian Blvd. Light refreshments will be served and all residents and interested parties are welcome. The Administrator said that she has heard from many seniors who are confused about the new plan, Medicare Part D. This plan is extremely complicated and many residents want clarification in an easy to read format. Wilson stated that this is a concern for many seniors throughout Alameda County. He noted that the confusion is compounded by physicians telling patients one thing and the industry saying something contrary.

Lai-Bitker's office has a staff person who will be dropping into the San Lorenzo office who will be clarifying questions about this new plan. Lai-Bitker is also sponsoring forums to talk to seniors in groups about Medicare Part D. She is considering forums for the San Lorenzo area in the near future. The Administrator asked that Wilson contacted her regarding this so that the information can be advertised for seniors in the Association's upcoming newsletters.

3.4 Zoning Enforcement Report -- See Attachment A. The Administrator noted that County Zoning Officer, Bruce Babcock, could not be present at the meeting tonight.

3.5 Public Comment - Items Not on the Agenda -- Resident Lou Filpovich asked if the Bockman project is using Redevelopment funds. Director Ready noted that the developer for that proposed project is not using redevelopment funds.

Resident March Winshel handed out information.

4.0 FINANCIAL REPORT

4.1 Approval of October 2005 expenditures, including payroll, and discussion of significant variances -- Director Sherman moved to approve the October 2005 expenditures, Director Pebelier seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

The Administrator reported there were no significant variances for the past month.

5.0 LIENS AND VIOLATIONS REPORTS -- The Administrator reported there have been six (6) liens released since the last Board meeting.

October 2005 Violation Report

Number  Violation                              # of Letters

1/19    Inoperable Vehicles in driveway                  6
2/22    Recreational veh/trailer in driveway             5
6       Lack of General Maintenance                      5
10      Lawn Height                                     37
11      Dead Trees                                       1
12      Overgrown Vegetation                             2
13      Holiday Lights                                   0 
14      No signs                                         0
15      Building Exterior                                1
16      Dirt Accumulation                                4
17      Attractive Nuisances                             0
18      Lean/miss fence                                  0
20/7    Unpaved parking                                  4
21      Working on vehicles                              0
23      Dogs/Cats more than 2                            0
24      Barking dogs                                     1
25      Prohibited animals                               1
26      Excess noise                                     0 
27      No Home Business                                 0
28/99   Other/ comments                                  9
99      Multiple violations                              1
Total                                                   74

6.0 HEARINGS AND VARIANCE ISSUES

6.1 Hearing Dispositions

a) 18083 Via Segundo -- Inoperative/stored vehicle in driveway. Violation cleared, closing.
b) 574 Paseo del Rio -- Condition of Lawn Maintenance. Send a letter to a letter to the owner regarding the condition of his property noting all the violations that need to be corrected within 30 days.
c) 790 Grant Ave -- Condition of Lawn. Lawn is now green, closing.
d) 15861 Paseo Largavista -- Condition of Lawn and stored vehicle. Referring vehicle and lawn to county and looking into curb appeal maintenance grant for owner.
e) 16161 Via Alamitos -- Condition of Lawn. Carry over for 30 days and write the owner regarding other violations regarding the house and fence.
f) 16082 Via Alamitos -- Condition of Lawn. Lawn has been cut but there are high weeds in the garden carry over for 30 days.
g) 17076 Via Media -- Inoperative/stored vehicle. Refer to attorney.
h) 938 Bockman Rd -- Vehicle parked on lawn. Closing, no more vehicles on lawn.
i) 17216 Via Alamitos -- Lawn Maintenance. Carry over 30 days, lawn now greener.
j) 17333 Via Alamitos -- Lack of General Maintenance. Lawn cut but garbage cans left out and fence falling down. Informing owner of violations and re-visiting in 30 days.
k) 17249 Via Estrella -- Inoperative/stored vehicle. All violations cleared. Closing.
l) 16085 Via Arroyo -- Lack of General Maintenance. Carry over for 30 days, due to recently finding out owner has rented house and there is a Property Management Company involved.
m) 17369 Via San Ardo -- Inoperative/Stored Vehicle. Owner present and stated that they would donate two (2) of the vehicles and working with son to update registration on other vehicle being stored.
n) 17339 Via San Ardo -- Inoperative/Stored vehicle. Owner brought in proof of registration; asking owner to keep debris from under vehicle and to keep car cover on vehicle when it is parked in front driveway.
o) 17004 Ganley St. -- Condition of lawn. Continue for 30 days and write to owner regarding vehicle being parked on lawn as well as lawn condition.
p) 1617 Via Lacqua -- Trailer/Boat stored at residence. Owner contacted Association and said boat will be gone by December 5, 2005. Will give owner until then to remove boat and also ask that jet skis stored on front patio behind fence be removed to back yard.
q) 1326 Via La Paloma -- Trailer/Boat Stored. Boat is now on street; referring to CHP and will write to owner regarding condition of fence and garbage cans that are being left out.
r) 16168 Channel St. -- Multiple Violations. All violations cleared-closing.
s) 16184 Channel St. -- Lack of General Maintenance. Debris still at side of house and stored vehicle; referring to county and will give 30 days to owner to abate prior to attorney referral.

6.2 Variances approved/disapproved at the work session

A) 822 Grant Ave. -- Second Story Addition. Approved with conditions.
B) 15800 Via Alamitos -- Addition with 3 ft setback. Denied; asking owner to resubmit plans with the required 5 ft setback.
C) 15963 Via Pinale -- New landscaping with pillars. Board is asking owner to remove the pillars.
D) 15749 Via Arroyo -- Driveway widening. Administrator to site visit and measure dimensions to ensure that owner is not going over 50% minimum.
E) 15894 Via Conejo -- Driveway widening. Administrator to site visit and measure dimensions to ensure that owner is not going over 50% minimum.
F) Re-visit 1213 Via Los Trancos -- Approved with conditions pending neighbor discussion/mediation.
G) Re-visit 1492 Via Lucas -- Garage Conversion. The plans appear to meet many if not all county conditions; the Board will site visit the property and continue for 30 days.

Director Sheridan moves to approve the Hearings and Variance decisions. Director Pebelier seconds, the motion carries unanimously.

7.0 ADMINISTRATORS REPORT

7.1 Informational Items -- The Administrator noted that in conjunction with Supervisor Lai-Bitker and the Redevelopment Committee, there will be a new directory of businesses in San Lorenzo. The Redevelopment Committee will also be advertising "Shop San Lorenzo". There are 170 businesses in our area and the directory will outline the type, location and phone number of each. There will be a "kick off" event to honor these businesses on November 30, 2005. The Supervisor and Association staff will have its first Tree lighting outside the Community Hall in honor of these businesses. The Administrator invited all residents to come and be a part of this event, refreshments and entertainment will be included for all involved.

7.2 EBMUD Update -- Resident John Partridge stated that the Final EIR for the East Bay MUD Groundwater Project was certified by the East Bay MUD Board. The next phase is design and then construction will begin next spring.

8.0 OTHER BUSINESS

8.1 Proposed Change of Plans for Mr. Fung - Grant/Washington Parcel (Timed Agenda Item 7:45 PM) -- Mr. Fung and his representative presented a new plan for the property on Washington and Grant Ave. He stated that although they had approval for their project three years ago, one of the conditions that was attached to the project by county traffic engineering proved to be too cost intensive to start construction. He pointed out that the lot was too large for a gas station as they originally proposed and due to the traffic conditions imposed by the county it would not prove to be fiscally feasible for Mr. Fung the developer. The new proposal was for 25 town homes which would be moderately priced and would allow for professionals who work in the area (teachers and business persons) to have first bids on purchasing.

Director Ready noted that three years ago the Board approved the gas station/car wash and mini-mart after several meetings and conditions were included. She was not going to support residential at this site. One of her concerns with the site itself is that for the last three years it has been overgrown with weeds and trash and has not been taken care of. She was also concerned with the density of 25 units on such a small site.

Fung noted that the apartments next to the lot contributed to the trash and condition of the lot for the past several years. Ready noted that the weeds were not caused by the apartment complex and the lack of continued maintenance was not a caused by the apartments. Director Ledesma noted that the Board is very sensitive to re-zoning any commercial sites into residential at this time. He is also concerned with putting residential units in an area that was previously a gasoline station as is the case with this site. The soil needs to be tested and the health of any potential residents in those units would need to be considered. He is also concerned with the density of the units and the traffic flow of that area which is directly adjacent to two (2) schools.

Resident Howard Beckman asked how high the town homes would be. Fung noted they would be no more than 25 feet high. He also asked whether holding the option of purchase for local employees is enforceable. Fung stated that it was. He questioned whether it was enforceable under the Fair Housing Act. Fung said that it was. Beckman stated that he is a strong proponent of retaining commercial property, however in this case he stated that this is a corner lot that is bounded by an apartment building, a church and a school, and that it is an appropriate corner for even higher density housing.

Director Sherman asked whether Beckman has been to the area when the school is in session. In the morning and the afternoon the traffic in the area is very high. The amount of additional traffic that an additional 25 units would bring is not appropriate for that area. Director Sheridan agreed with Sherman, stating that a commercial property is much more feasible for the area than a residential property. Director Pebelier also noted that the traffic during school hours is very high for both pedestrians and automobile. She said that she would prefer the commercial proposal rather than residential. Director Ledesma said that he does not understand the argument that Mr. Fung has brought to the Board to change the plan. He has a site that he regulates at his job that is in a similar size lot that is doing a lot of business and has contributed a huge tax base to the community, He said if Mr. Fung came to the Board with a better business plan he would consider it, but this was not the case.

Director Ledesma made a motion to reject the plan presented by Mr. Fung to re-zone the property to residential. Director Sheridan seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

8.2 Bockman Center EIR (Timed agenda Item for 8:00 PM) -- Amy Wilson spoke for the company who drafted the EIR. She stated that all comments should be directed to Steve Buckley, at Alameda County Planning regarding the document. She also noted that the developer, Phil Kerr was is the audience to field any questions. She noted that the County Planning Commission would be hearing this item at their meeting on December 5, 2005, comments could be received until December 9, 2005.

Director Ready stated that the Board had several comments that would be forwarded in writing to Alameda County prior to the Planning Commission hearing. She asked if the audience had any comments that had not already been heard.

A resident asked if there were any comments related to traffic and the schools. The Administrator asked if she had read the EIR. She stated that she had not. She was concerned with the traffic on Bockman during the morning hours and afternoon hours related to the Adult School, Del Rey Elementary and Bohannon Middle School. She showed an aerial picture of what the traffic looks like during the morning commute. She noted that many parents from Bohannon Middle School, which has over 900 students, drop their children off on a side street near and around the school in the morning hours.

Director Ready stated that the EIR has noted that there is a problem and acknowledged that some mitigation is needed. She suggested that the resident read through the EIR and submit her comments to the county as they are concerns that many residents and parents have. The Administrator noted that the Homes Association has two copies of this EIR that can be checked out from the office. Director Ledesma encouraged all residents to read the EIR and make their comments and concerns known to the county and the developer.

Director Ledesma outlined what went on at the meeting and the assumptions regarding the project that were discussed. (See attachment B) He stated that the consensus of the two groups was that the Eden Area Draft General Plan, which was published recently, needed to fit with the plan of this development. The group wanted to recommend that the Olson Company support the community by allowing them to select three (3) independent commercial brokers to review the site for the feasibility of commercial businesses at the site. Two members of the SLVHA board and two from the Bockman Committee would select these independent brokers.

Ledesma also stated that the committee and the Board were concerned with the density and the height of the project in that area. Director Ready noted that the Board and the community is very impressed and appreciative of the work that has been done by the Olson Company. However, it would like to see this development reviewed by independent commercial brokers to review the feasibility of commercial development. It would also like this development to be in line with the criteria outlined in the newly released Eden Area Draft General Plan.

A resident and member of the Bockman Committee read a letter from Mary Ann McMillan regarding the committee's understanding of the agreement. See Attachment C.

Further discussion was brought up about how the Eden Area Draft Plan affected the Bockman shopping center and residential versus commercial development. Director Ready noted that the Bockman Draft Plan had some incorrect information about the re- zoning and designation of the area from commercial to residential that needed to be clarified. It was noted, that the Eden Area Draft Plan has been in the works for more than three years, prior to any proposal for development for the Bockman Shopping area.

A resident questioned who would be required to do the maintenance of the development for the new housing. The Administrator noted that any residential development that would come into the area would have two (2) associations. One that would take care of its roads and landscaping, and the other would be the Homes Association which would be the umbrella Association and would have CC&Rs in line with the other homes in the area.

Director Ledesma made a motion to secure three (3) retail brokers that would be financed by the Olson Company to analyze retail feasibility for the Bockman Shopping Area. Director Pebelier seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

8.3 Board of Directors Election Information -- The Administrator noted that there are two (2) seats up for election this year. One of the incumbents, Peggy Sheridan, has decided not to run for personal reasons. There are four (4) residents who have filled out petitions, one of which was the incumbent Pat Pebelier. All candidates who were present were given a few minutes to introduce themselves. The Administrator had all candidates present draw lot numbers for their position on the ballot. The candidates would be listed as follows: 1) David Kirby 2) Pat Pebelier 3) Wulf Bieschke 4) Brenda Carr.

The Administrator noted that there were some new procedures associated with the election. These procedures will be listed in the newsletter coming out in the next few weeks, once they are ratified by the board. She noted that each member will serve a three (3) year term. Each household is entitled to two (2) votes per candidate. The ballots will be mailed out with the assessments this year and will have each resident's account number on the outside of it. Upon the ballots return to the office the sealed ballots will be put into a locked ballot box and will not be open until the first of February when the ballots are counted. All ballots are secretive. This year the Board must have an inspector of elections whose duties are to determine the authenticity and validity of the ballots to ensure the number of votes per household and to oversee the counting and the challenges/questions regarding the ballots and would make the final determination with respect to these.

The Administrator suggested that the Board use Suzanne Barba of Castro Valley. She has been on the League of Women Voters for many years and has assisted in other elections in this capacity. The Board could give her a stipend of no more than $100 for her services regardless of how many hours it took to count the ballots. The Administrator further discussed how the ballots are counted and suggested that the Board publish a notice asking for volunteers to count these ballots. Once all ballots are counted the election results are posted outside the Association office.

Keith Barros asked who would have a key to the lock box that the ballots are in. The Administrator noted that the President and Vice President of the Board would have keys.

Director Ledesma makes a motion to adopt the Election Policy and Procedures, Director Sherman seconds. The motion carries unanimously.

8.4 Report from Heather Ledesma on Senior Services -- The Administrator introduced Heather Ledesma a resident and wife of Director Pat Ledesma. Ledesma stated that she is actively involved with senior services. She is currently employed with the San Mateo County Health department with its Commission of Aging and Adult Services Departments. She stated that she recently became involved in Alameda County when she was appointed to the Board of Senior Services. This Board serves Central Alameda county seniors and helps deliver services to seniors who do not have family or friends to help with their shopping or daily/weekly activities. This Board finds volunteers to help with the assistance of daily activities and companionship. Ledesma stated that with the winter weather approaching along with the holiday season, many of these seniors show an increase of isolation and depression. She encouraged anyone who knows of a senior in need of companionship to contact Senior Services. She also stated that they are always looking for volunteers to help assist these seniors during this time. Anyone interested should contact the Senior Services Foundation at 510-347-4620 ext. 180.

Ledesma reported that she is just beginning to get information about Medicare Part D. She urged residents to contact their local HICAP (Health Insurance Advocacy and Counseling Program) organization and to also utilize Supervisor Lai Bitker's office for help. She noted that the various plans are very confusing and need to be thought through carefully. She handed out information on upcoming informational meetings for Medicare Part D in the area for HICAP. (See Attachment ) Ledesma also cautioned people from jumping into one or another plan prior to getting all the information.

9.0 PUBLIC COMMENT -- None.

10.0 COMMITTEE REPORTS 10.1 Airport Committee Update -- The Administrator attended the Hayward Airport sub- committee for the helicopter flights over our area.. The sub-committee was very receptive to her presence and agreed to acknowledge continued representation from San Lorenzo Homeowners Association and its Board of Directors. Resident Ernie Delli Gatti will be attending these meetings on behalf of the Association Board.

10.2 Economic Development Committee -- Director Ready reported that Supervisor Lai- Bitker hosted a luncheon for members at a Pan/Asian Restaurant in Berkeley that is looking for another site to branch out its business. The food was excellent and the cost was reasonable. The Supervisor continues to work with the Board and the community to locate new businesses for the area.

10.3 Library Committee -- Director Pebelier reported that the committee met with a consultant about how to proceed with a phone poll to see if the community will support a tax to help expand the new library. The consultant was very helpful in directing the committee as it moves forth to help secure funds for expansion.

11.0 COMMENTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS -- The Director thanked all in attendance for staying for the meeting.

12.0 ADJOURNMENT -- Director Ready adjourned the meeting at 10:10 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