BRECA Steering Committee Meeting Minutes 10-27-09

BUTTERFIELD-RIVIERA EAST COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

DATE: October 27, 2009
PLACE:  Meeting Room 1, 3701 Branch Center Rd., Sacramento, California
MEETING TYPE:  BRECA Steering Committee Meeting

STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Paul Bowers
Lori Christensen
Stan Mofjeld
Jim Morgan
Rick Sloan
Mary Ann Winters

1. Welcome from the Chair
2. Minutes of September 2009
   Lori Christensen made a motion to adopt the draft minutes for September 2009.  Rick Sloan seconded the motion.  The motion was approved with 5 votes in favor, 0 opposed, and 1 abstention.

3. Reports
   1. Cordova Planning and Advisory Council (CORPAC)
      Paul Bowers reported that there have been no recent meetings of the Cordova Planning and Advisory Council (CORPAC).
   2. Treasurer’s Report
      There was no treasurer’s report.

4. Old Business
   1. Butterfield Special Planning Area (SPA)
      Jim Morgan reported that there is no additional information on the proposed Butterfield Special Planning Area (SPA).
   2. Habitat Restoration for Gristmill
      Jim Morgan reported on a phone conversation with Lizette Crosbie and Pete Ghelfi (Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA)).  They stated that the Kansas Access staging area is to be vacated in late November.  The staging area will be graded to tie in to upstream and downstream elevations.  It is anticipated that about 1.5 feet of fill will be removed.  Subsequently, the ground will be prepared for planting of grasses, wildflowers, and trees.  At the Gristmill parking area, the ground has been covered with gravel to retard erosion from rain.
   3. Letter to Cal-Am Water
      Joe O’Connor reported on a BRECA letter sent to California American Water (Cal Am Water) concerning rate increases.  Joe pointed out that the letter contained a number of technical questions that would require response from planning and finance departments.

5. New Business
   1. BRECA Meeting Locations and Date Changes
      As the usual BRECA meeting location (the Rancho Cordova Library) is closed for renovations, there was a discussion about where and when to have the next BRECA meeting.  Paul Bowers suggested the break room in the County building at 3701 Branch Center Rd. might be available. The consensus was to have the meeting on November 19th or 24th.  Paul Bowers was given responsibility to make arrangements.
   2. Gristmill Updates/BRECA Support
      Paul Bowers noted that the Gristmill entrance to the American River Parkway had been closed to vehicles in September, and that there had been a meeting on September 28th with County Parks staff at the Gristmill entrance.  Jan Lester noted that County Parks staff had agreed to reopen the Gristmill entrance if a volunteer group picked up and disposed of the trash.  The Gristmill entrance is now open to vehicles.

      There was a question about funding for dog poop bags.  Jim Morgan suggested that money budgeted by BRECA for the Great American River Clean-Up had not been spent, and could be made available.  Paul Bowers noted that the dog poop bags were likely to be an ongoing expense item, and should be agendized for the next BRECA meeting.

   3. Letter to Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board
      Jim Morgan stated that Gay Jones was going to draft a letter to the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board concerning the Mayhew-Gristmill levee and drain erosion problems.  However, she had been told that Board staff had sent a letter to BRECA that had not yet been received.  Consequently, Gay has not yet drafted a letter to the Board.
   4. Issues from the Floor
      Jim Morgan stated that he had been told by Pete Ghelfi that there is a plan to tie the upstream end of the Mayhew-Gristmill levee to high ground.

      A BRECA member stated that during the recent rain there had been flooding of the back yard of a person who lives next to the levee near the Kansas Access.  This appears to be due to runoff from the ramp to the landside road next to the levee.  In response, a French Drain was constructed to divert water.

      Joe O’Connor noted that he had received a notice about a water plan from the “Regional Water Authority” and that a meeting is planned for November 4.

      Bob Baptiste stated that he and other people who live next to the levee had received a notice from County Planning.  This notice stated that there are to be additional reviews of any changes to houses, including fences.  Paul Bowers suggested that this item should be agendized, and that a County representative should be invited.

      Lori Christensen stated that we had received an e-mail from an assistant to Supervisor Don Nottoli regarding the sound wall on Folsom Blvd. near Mira Del Rio.  The County is offering paint, and is looking for volunteers to do the painting.

6. Meeting adjourned.

The date and location for the next Steering Committee meeting have yet to be determined.  When they are determined, the membership will be notified.