The regular meeting of the San Lorenzo Village Homes Association Board of Directors was held Thursday, December 20, 2007.

Candidate Forum for the Board of Directors - Dorothy Partridge, Moderator -- The Association Board of Director's Candidate Forum started prior to the regular Board meeting at 7 pm. Two candidates are running for one (1) seat that is up for election. Each candidate was given a chance to answer a series of questions presented to them by audience members.

1.1 CALL TO ORDER -- President Wulf Bieschke called the meeting to order at 7:42 p.m.

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, Pat Pebelier, Margaret Wright Jim Sherman and Kathy Martins were all present.

2.O MINUTES FROM THE PREVIOUS MEETING -- Approval of meeting number 1162, November 15,2007. Director Sherman makes a motion Director Wright seconded. The motion carries.

Holiday Lighting Contest Winners (7:45 p.m.) -- President Bieschke announced the residences that won the holiday lighting contest (See Attachment A).

3.0 COMMENTS FROM PUBLIC AGENCIES

3.1 CHP -- CHP gave the following report:

CHP Statistics for November 2007

                                             Total for
Infraction               San Lorenzo      Unincorp. area
Collisions                      14                 131
Tickets                         71               1,295
Parking Tickets                n/a                 n/a
Storage/Impounds                 2                  74
Stolen Recoveries                1                  16
Traffic Complaints                                
Parking Complaints                                
DUI Arrests                     n/a                 n/a
Total warnings for Castro Valley Command:  n/a                                                    

The officer reported that his office arrested 51 people for DUI's so far this holiday season. They partnered with the City of San Leandro in doing several DUI check points. They are also participating in avoid the "21" campaign with several other agencies. President Bieschke asked if the CHP has a distinction between driving under the influence of alcohol and other drugs and if there was could the Board get that report. The officer did not know if this could be done but would have Officer Tuazon look into this.

3.2 Alameda County Sheriff's Dept. -- Deputy Liskey gave the monthly report (See Attachment B)

Statistics for November 2007 [TO BE POSTED WHEN AVAILABLE]

                                      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                                      

Deputy Liskey noted that the alcohol ordinance was passed by the Board of Supervisors this past Tuesday and will come into affect on January 7, 2007. The ordinance will provide training to all alcohol establishments to provide affective sale of alcohol. They will start implementing the ordinance on March 1, 2008 and he will be giving quarterly updates.

His department has also been participating in the avoid 21 and have arrested over 100 DUI's within the past month. They have also been involved in a prostitution sting on Craig's List that has been very successful.

President Bieschke asked if they could break down drug vs alcohol arrests with respect to the DUI arrests. Liskey said that he did not think it could be done with their tracking system.

Director Martin asked if Liskey had been aware of a man who was throwing things at cars from the unincorporated area of Lewelling and East 14th streets. Liskey stated that he had heard about the incident and no, his department has not apprehended anyone for the crime.

Director Wright asked how many DUI get charged. Liskey stated that most get charged. He noted that last year they had 32 arrests, and only 2 of those were not charged.

3.3 Supervisor Alice Lai-Bitker -- Staff member, Kevin Dowling reported that Supervisor Lai Bitker's next State of the County Address will be held January 24, 2008 at the San Leandro Library. He invited residents to attend. Dowling also noted that Lai-Bitker will be in charge of the Unincorporated Meetings for the next year. If residents have issues they want to see on that agenda they should let his office know.

Dowling stated that the Public Works Department is working with the businesses near Wortherly and Bowman in San Lorenzo. They will be holding a meeting this January with approximately 18 businesses who noted concerns about this construction work. The area in question is a cul de sac area near Wortherly and Bowman that is in dire need of repair. Proposition 42 will help fund the project.

Dowling stated that he has all the information regarding the proposed BMX track that the Board had asked for and he would forward it to them. President Bieschke stated that the board would be bringing the item back for the January 2008 board meeting.

President Bieschke asked Dowling about the status of the street repaving and the slurry seal. The board had received a complaint by a resident regarding the sealing was incomplete. Staff member Kathleen Harrigan noted that James Chu with the Alameda County Public Works Department had contacted her regarding this issue. Chu had stated that many of the slurry seal contractors were delayed by other projects and when they were available it was too cold. The streets that have been incomplete will be completed starting the Spring of 2008.

Mary Clements a resident and member of Skywest HOA asked what the status of the BMX track was and if her Association received any additional information. Dowling stated that he sent additional information to their Association President. He said that the site would be staked tomorrow and he would be out to review the project.

3.4 Zoning Enforcement Report -- (See Attachment C for monthly report).

3.5 Public Comment -- Resident Lou Orecelli asked if the board or staff had heard an update on the neighborhood parking issues behind Arroyo High School. Neither the board nor staff had an update, but noted that they would get an update the next Board meeting. Orecelli stated that there has recently been a semi truck without a trailer parking on Lorenzo Avenue which poses a huge hazard to the cars trying to travel through the area.

4.0 FINANCIAL REPORT

4.1 Approval of November 2007 expenditures, including payroll, and discussion of significant variances -- There were no significant variances reported for the past month. Director Sherman made a motion to approve the November 2007 expenditures, Director Pebelier seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

5.0 ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT

5.1 Informational Items - Hayward Energy Hearings -- The Administrator introduced Suzanne Barba who gave an update on the hearings. Barba reported that she had attended two meetings thus far, with another to be held on January 14, 2008. This January meeting would deal with the land use issues and other minor matters. The previous meetings dealt with the airport and its concerns and some progress was made. The City of Hayward, Chabot College and the County of Alameda are all opposing this secondary plant (East Shore Plant).

6.0 OTHER BUSINESS (Motion may be required)

6.1 Application for Basketball Facility on Bockman Road (Timed Agenda Item 8 p.m.)

Mike Gourea, the owner of Game Time and the applicant, spoke about his proposal to run basketball tournaments in the vacant buildings next to his business. He outlined how the games would be played in a "three on three" tournament setting. Gourea stated that youth from San Lorenzo would be given priority and the ages would be 10 to 16 years of age.

The Administrator pointed out that one of the concerns that neighbors reported that the kids currently shopping at his Gametime store are urinating outside the facility because they are not allowed access to the bathrooms. Gourea stated that he was not clear whether the people doing this were from his facility or other patrons of surrounding businesses. He has spoke with the owner and now he has a bathroom key and any child can use the facilities.

President Bieschke stated that the board is not against youth organizations, but is concerned about the nature of his business and the proposed location. Last year at Southland mall there was a three on three basketball tournament that got out of hand. The Board would want to see a business plan presented to it at its January 2008 meeting prior to this item going back to the Board of Zoning Adjustments in February 2008. Gourea stated that his business is different from the Southland business. That business had older adults participating and was not run as an organization like his would be. He would only allow 10 to 16 year old youths in his program and would not be recruiting adults to participate.

Gourea stated that he would have 37 adult supervisors, and hopes to recruit 200 kids into his program. Gourea would supervise and coordinate the volunteers and the participants. He stated that he already had a hardwood floor company offer to donate the court floor, but they pulled out due to the fact that they wanted to write it off for their 2007 taxes prior to the first of the year. The Administrator noted that she had offered to call the floor company and explain to them what the hold up was and help to get them to reconsider but Gourea refused her offer. Gourea stated that he felt that it was his business plan and he wanted to be the one to negotiate any donations.

Director Martins asked what is the max number of kids in the league. Gourea stated that he would have a maximum number of 200 kids with 20 to 30 teams. There would be no more than 5 players per team, with a minimum of three, there may be up to 30 teams.

Martins was concerned with how 10 year olds would play with 16 year olds. She stated that there is a huge discrepancy with strength weight and ability between the two. Gourea noted that teams would be broken up by age group with 10-11 year olds, 12-13 year olds and 14 to 15 year olds playing against each other. No 15 year olds would be competing against 10 year olds.

It was questioned about how long the games would take and whether there would be a lot of children loitering around the building waiting to play. Gourea noted that the games are set up so that they are no more than 45 minutes long. There are two halves that are 20 minutes each with 5 minutes in between. The clock is continuous. The only persons allowed in the court are those who are playing. Different ages play at different times. Those players waiting would not be allowed on the court but would be waiting next store at his Gametime business.

Director Martins asked why Gourea is not hiring people to help run this business. Active volunteers are hard to find and depend upon. Gourea noted that his organization is for profit, but in the beginning the profit would be very small. He stated that if the league got 200 children to participate on an ongoing basis then he would be able to hire probably three employees. The fee he would be charging per player would be $100. There are four seasons per year and each season would require a fee. Director Martin asked if San Lorenzo residents could get discounts. Gourea stated that he would look into doing that.

Director Sherman was concerned that Gametime would become a big hangout for the players who were going to play in the tournament. He was also concerned with the traffic in that parking lot and the surrounding area. There are trucks in and out of that lot all day long. He wanted to know how this would be mitigated. Gourea stated only those players who are slated to play in the next tournament would be allowed to "hang out" in his store. He said that the traffic in the area was not that bad and the trucks moved through their without many problems now. He stated that most of the parents would be dropping off their children and picking them up later.

Director Wright asked what would happen if Gourea could not get 200 children to sign up between the ages of 10-16 years. Gourea stated that they wanted children to be within this age group, but they would need to look at other ages if in fact they could not get enough participants in these age groups.

Director Bieschke asked the sheriff if he knew of any problems in this shopping center in the past. Deputy Liskey stated that he could not recall, but would look it up and report back to the Board.

Resident Peggy Sheridan stated that she had a concern about the traffic in the area especially when the kids get out. They tend to hang out in that parking lot already. If you run a business in that shopping center the area will be even more congested. Parents will trying to get in and out of that lot to drop of their players and it could be a huge problem. She asked that Gourea write how he will mitigate the loitering and the traffic issues into his business plan. She stated that she did not see how parents waiting for games and picking up players would not be a problem with only 36 parking spaces currently in that lot. Sheridan noted that some of this excess "traffic" and parking will be felt by surrounding residences.

Resident Liz Thayer stated that she lives very close to where this business is going to be operated. She noted that she already has a problem with litter. If you allow another business in the area there will be more loitering and litter. There will be problem with the traffic and kids will be out in that area late at night. Gourea stated that he would be willing to clean the area and her yard after every tournament.

Resident Mel Mederios said that this is a great idea, he just did not think the area was very conducive to it. He asked about the school district and renting out its facilities. Gourea stated that the schools already have practices and they won't let him take over their times. He stated that the fee would be pretty large and there would be a liability issue. He said that he would be holding an insurance policy for 200 million for this business.

Resident Kathie Ready suggested that if the board approves the business that there should be conditions attached if the business fails to mitigate problems or violates any conditions. She stated that the first time one of the conditions is violated then the permit should be rescinded. Gourea stated that he would agree to this, however, he did not want to have his permit pulled for any frivolous complaint.

Resident Don Clowser said that he thought this was a good thing. The community needs teen programs. He applauded Gourea's idea and urged the board to approve the business with conditions built into the plan, that if violated, the permit could be pulled.

President Bieschke asked staff to present the questions to Mr Gourea and invited him to come back to the board's January 2008 meeting with a business plan and answers to their questions.

6.2 Proposed changes to Flood District Area in San Lorenzo - Rahin Saleh, Alameda County Civil Engineer

Saleh gave a historical background of the flood district in San Lorenzo and the San Lorenzo Creek. He noted that FEMA is making updates and changes to this creek in a 20 mile radius from the Don Castro area to the San Francisco Bay. This creek was originally designed with only 10 years of stream gage data, now there is over 60 years of data available.

He stated that the existing condition of the area has been affected by an increase in urbanization at the lower watershed areas. In August 2003 the USGS provided newly calculated data of 100 year event which was found to be 58 percent greater than a standard project flood area. FEMA reviewed USGS"S data and they concurred with their findings, the area that was supposed to hold for a 100 year event cannot even hold for a 50 year event.

They looked at several modifications from Don Castro to Cull Dam, from sediment load to long term maintenance and fish passage opportunities.

Cull dam is seismically unstable, and it would take too much money to rebuild this dam. Don Castro dam is currently being used to help with the flow of watershed. This is why they are continuing to investigate the problem and have notified homeowners in the San Lorenzo who might be affected. (See Attachment D)

Saleh stated that a preliminary FEMA map would be released January 2008 and the District and FEMA would hold a public meeting in February 2008. The map will become effective a year after the end of the appeal period and during this year flood insurance could be purchased at a reduced rate. However, once the map becomes effective only those with current flood insurance would be grandfathered in at their rate. New homeowners would have to purchase insurance at a more expensive rate.

Resident Kathie Ready asked how one homeowner gets a letter on a block and not another homeowner. Saleh stated that it depends on elevation. This is why there is a 90 day appeal period, many of these residents could be reconsidered and no longer in the flood district. Ready asked whether mitigation with the flood district would coincide with what is written in the current General Plan. There are many residents along the creek that were adamant about not wanting walkways along this creek which is directly behind their properties. Would these people who have already fought the battle have to come back and re-fight it? Saleh was unclear but stated that there would be public hearings regarding the issues and concerns would be heard and dealt with via this process.

President Bieschke asked how much flooding would take place. Saleh stated that in some places it would be 1 to 3 feet. However, those who are in the shallow areas, would get less than a foot of flooding and would not have to have flood insurance. About half of the residents who received the letter, will probably be exempt due to the fact they are in this "shallow" area.

Director Sherman asked what the cost for insurance would be now versus later. Saleh stated that he does not have an exact number but that he knows that insurance can be up to $1000 per year for a 100 year event. When purchased prior to designation, it is usually half of that or less.

President Bieschke stated that he would like to have a town hall meeting with Public works and Supervisor Lai Bitker to discuss this with the residents. He was assured that this meeting would occur in early February 2008, when the maps come out.

7.0 COMMITTEE REPORT -- None.

7.1 Redevelopment Committee

Director Pebelier reported that the main issue discussed at this meeting was the status of the Village Square and Civic Partners. Civic had 90 days to get back to the county about the plan. This time period was up on January 20, 2008,however Civic did not negotiate fast enough and wanted another 90 days to discuss the issue and respond to the county. Bohannon agreed to this and now wants additional money for the property due to the many delays of the project.

The committee felt that Civic Partners does not have the communities' best interest at heart. It recommended that Bohannon terminate their agreement with Civic Partners on January 20, 2008 if Civic Partners does not respond to the county with a firm plan. Further, the redevelopment committee recommended to withdraw any promised of redevelopment funds being utilized for the project. Pebelier noted that the plan for the area has once again changed, taking out more housing in lieu of businesses and renovating some of the existing buildings instead of removing them.

7.2 Alcohol Policy Working Group -- This item was continued until next month.

8.0 LIENS AND VIOLATIONS REPORTS -- No liens have been released since November 2007.

November 2007 Violation Report

Number  Violation                              No. of Letters

1/19    Inoperable Vehicles in driveway              13
2/22    Recreational veh/trailer in driveway          2
6       Lack of General Maintenance                   4
10      Lawn Height                                  21
11      Dead Trees                                    0
12      Overgrown Vegetation                          0
13      Holiday Lights                                0
14      No signs                                      0
15      Building Exterior                             6
16      Dirt Accumulation                             4
17      Attractive Nuisances                          0
18      Lean/miss fence                               0
20/7    Unpaved parking                               4
21      Working on vehicles                           2
23      Dogs/Cats more than 2                         0
24      Barking dogs                                  1
25      Prohibited animals                            0
26      Excess noise                                  1
27      No Home Business                              1
28/99   Other/ comments                              10
99      Multiple violations                           8

Total                                                77

9.0 HEARINGS AND VARIANCE ISSUES

9.1 Hearing Dispositions -- No hearings this month.

9.2 Variances

1. 17420 Via La Jolla -- Side yard step fence with 10' set back. Approved with conditions.
2. 1766 Via Toyon -- New landscaping plans to include two (2) more palms at front of property. Denied, owner will be asked to take out two palms.
3. 15944 Via Marlin -- Revisit shed, owner to be present. Continued until next month.
4. 1117 Via Esperanza -- Back yard shed, 300 + in a 7000 sq ft lot to be constructed with metal siding, inches from fence line (owner to be present at 6:30 pm). Denied as submitted; owner asked to resubmit plans with material consistent with shed policy and to get actual square footage of shed with the inclusion of the attached overhang.
5. 1631 Via Lacqua -- Revisit shed, which now has an outdoor fire pit. Consensus of the board was to allow portable fire pit as they would a portable barbeque.

Director Martins makes a motion to approve the hearing and variances as read, Director Sherman seconds, the motion carries unanimously.

10.0 PUBLIC COMMENT -- There was no public comment.

11.0 COMMENTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS -- Director Martins asked for more volunteers on the Community Engagement Committee. She noted that the committee would be responsible for reviewing the newsletter, the welcome packet for new village residents, as well as other community events related to the Association. She only has one other person besides herself on this committee and would like much more input. Director Martins also announced that there would be another "Meet and Greet" the board event early in the new year.

Director Wright said the Association's Tree Lighting Ceremony was very nice and she thanked all involved.

Director Bieschke wished the candidates luck and thanked both of them for participating in the pre-board forum.

All the board members wished everyone happy holidays and a happy new year.

12.0 ADJOURNMENT -- President Bieschke adjourns 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; Kathie Ready, Resident