BRECA Steering Committee Meeting Minutes 07-28-09

BUTTERFIELD-RIVIERA EAST COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

DATE: July 28, 2009
PLACE:  Rancho Cordova Library, 9845 Folsom Blvd., Sacramento, California
MEETING TYPE:  BRECA Steering Committee Meeting

STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Lori Christensen
Kelly Cohen
Gay Jones
Stan Mofield
Jim Morgan
Mary Ann Winters

1. Welcome from the Chair
2. Minutes of February 2009
   Changes to the draft minutes were discussed.  Lori Christensen made a motion to adopt the amended draft minutes.  Stan Mofield seconded the motion.  The motion was approved unanimously.

3. Reports
   1. Treasurer’s Report
      Kelly Cohen reported that the balance in the BRECA checking account is $5240.83.

4. Old Business
   1. Butterfield Special Planning Area: Response to Upcoming Notice of Preparation
      There was discussion about the upcoming Notice Of Preparation (NOP) for an Environmental Impact Review (EIR) of the proposed Butterfield Special Planning Area (SPA).  The most recent indication is that the NOP will go out in about 30 days.  There will then be about 30 days for response.  It is important that BRECA respond because it is an opportunity to specify the impacts and alternatives that will be considered in the EIR.Jim Morgan proposed that BRECA approach the interested landowners in the SPA area and try to fashion an alternative that better meets our collective needs than the draft proposed by County Planning staff.  There was discussion about whether this was a viable idea.  It was agreed that the ad-hoc Butterfield SPA committee would meet and further discuss alternatives and possible meetings with interested landowners.
   2. Steering Committee Elections Budget Adjustment
      Jim Morgan reported that the Steering Committee elections had a cost overrun of $1.97.  Lori Christensen made a motion to approve the expenditure.  The motion was seconded by Kelly Cohen.  The motion was approved unanimously.
   3. BRECA Newsletter
      Jim Morgan stated that additional articles are needed for the upcoming BRECA Newsletter.  Assignment of articles was discussed.
   4. Habitat Restoration for Gristmill
      Gay Jones stated that Pete Ghelfi with the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA) would like to come to the August BRECA meeting to give an update on flood insurance relief and other issues.  Gay also stated that SAFCA is having discussions with the Corps of Engineers regarding habitat restoration in the Mayhew-Gristmill levee area.  It is not clear who is responsible.  It was stated that the action to be taken is habitat restoration, not habitat transformation (i.e. from grassland to woodland).Richard Smith reported that, at the washed out site next to the Kansas Access staging area, the plastic sheeting and fencing is not being maintained.  It was suggested that Richard contact Kim Schwab with the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board, since the Board issued a citation over erosion earlier this year.  It was also suggested that Richard contact the Project Manager for the Corps.

5. New Business
   1. Issues from the Floor
      Gay Jones reported on a discussion with Pete Ghelfi of SAFCA.  Pete indicated that the Mayhew Drain closure structure is on track for completion by November 1.  SAFCA is considering having a community meeting to discuss flood insurance relief.  There has been a problem with the SAFCA submittal to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for 100-year flood certification.  It was discovered that a large drainage pipe crosses under the Mayhew Drain from the area west (downstream) of the Drain, and goes to the pump station near the mouth of the Drain.  Evidently nobody knew the drainage pipe was there.  SAFCA needs to do a geotechnical investigation of the pipe to see if it creates a problem.  It is possible that the flood certification submittal will be ready by August.  It is not known how long FEMA will take to make a decision.Jim Morgan reported on e-mails with Grant Kreinberg, also with SAFCA.  Jim had inquired about the upstream end of the Mayhew-Gristmill levee, where there is a two feet deep ditch that would allow water to go around the levee at high flows.  Grant Kreinberg stated that SAFCA and the Corps have had discussions about the situation, but no resolution has been reached.

      Gay Jones stated that it would be good to take possession of the tree round from the largest heritage oak cut down to make way for the Mayhew-Gristmill levee.  The tree round is now stored at the County corporation yard.  There was discussion about where to store, and ultimately where to display, the tree round.  The Rancho Cordova Library management does not want it inside the Library due to lack of space.  Various locations outside the library were discussed.  There is concern that exposure to the sun will damage the tree round.

      Gay Jones reported that there is ongoing discussion about tree planting along Folsom Blvd.  However, she is not getting a response from the County.

      Stan Mofield stated that there was a proposal to stop Light Rail service at 9:00 pm.  Jim Morgan stated that an article in the paper today indicated that a decision on that question had been postponed.

6. Meeting adjourned.

The next Steering Committee meeting will be on August 25, 2009 at the Rancho Cordova Library