02-23-10 Meeting Minutes

BUTTERFIELD-RIVIERA EAST COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

DATE: February 23, 2010
PLACE:  Rancho Cordova Library, 9845 Folsom Blvd., Sacramento, California
MEETING TYPE:  BRECA Steering Committee Meeting

STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT

Paul Bowers
Kelly Cohen
Gay Jones
Stan Mofjeld
Jim Morgan
Rick Sloan
Mary Ann Winters

1. Welcome from Chair Gay Jones
2. Minutes
   No minutes were submitted.
3. Reports
   1. Treasurer’s Report
      Kelly Cohen (treasurer) reported a balance of $4,845.59 in the BRECA bank account.
   2. CORPAC
      Gay Jones reported that the Cordova Community Planning and Advisory Council (CORPAC) had received information about a proposed Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) “East Complex.”  The East Complex would include moving the corporation yard from the present site at 65th Street and Folsom Blvd. to the south-east corner of Bradshaw Rd. and Keifer Blvd.  A Draft Environmental Impact Report is due out on March 15.  The anticipated move in date is 2013.  An estimated 750 trucks would go out each day.  Gay commented that traffic would be a major concern, and that previous developments had not resulted in improvements to the interchange at Highway 50 and Bradshaw Rd.
   3. Cordova Recreation and Park District
      Rick Sloan reported that there had been problems with crime at Larchmont Park (near Erliwine school).  Community organizing to watch the park and an internet site are planned.
4. Old Business
   1. Flood Control and Habitat Restoration
      Gay Jones reported that Grant Kreinberg (with Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA)) had stated that there had been a second washout (rill) near the Kansas access staging area.  SAFCA put sandbags in the area to stop the washout from spreading.  Gay also reported that SAFCA had installed a cable and post barrier between the parking lot and the road at Gristmill.  Also, additional rocks were placed in the parking lot.Gay also reported that Steve Flannery, a ranger with County Parks, has proposed banning parking on the gravel bar at Gristmill.  Unloading of boats would be allowed on the bar.  Vehicles would park in the parking lot.

      Gay also reported that Pete Ghelfi (SAFCA) has submitted the letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requesting that the area behind the Mayhew-Gristmill levee be rezoned to 100 year protection.  It is expected that it will take several months for FEMA to process the application.

      Robyn Hudson reported that several trees had been tagged upstream from the upstream end of the new Mayhew-Gristmill levee.  There was a discussion about the situation with the upstream end of the levee not being tied in to high ground, and the plug installed between the levee and adjacent back yard.

   2. California-American Water Letter
      Gay Jones reported that Joe O’Connor and herself were trying to arrange a meeting with Andy Soule, the local head of California American Water to discuss the recent and proposed water rate increases.
   3. Tree Round
      Gay Jones reported that one of the tree sections (rounds) cut from the largest tree cut down as part of the Mayhew-Gristmill levee work is at the Rancho Cordova Library.  The utilities supervisor has given approval to mount the tree section in the entrance near the book return drop.  The other two sections are at the American River Parkway Foundation office and at the Effie Yaew Nature Center.
   4. Butterfield Special Planning Area
      Jim Morgan reported that BRECA is working on submitting a response to the Notice Of Preparation (NOP) for the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Butterfield Special Planning Area (SPA).  The BRECA response will propose two new alternatives, and the important areas of environmental impact (e.g. traffic) that should be evaluated in the Drarft EIR.  The response is to be ready by the end of the month.Gay Jones reported on a meeting that Joe O’Connor, Jim Morgan, and herself had with Tricia Stevens, the County’s Principal Planner.  The meeting was to gather information about the existing planning and approval process, and the changes that are proposed in the SPA.  There was considerable discussion about the planning and approval process.
5. New Business
   1. County Parks Budget
      Jim Morgan reported that the previous round of County budget cuts had seriously affected County Parks.  The amount of General Fund money going to County Parks was cut by about 60%.  Other revenue sources, including user and concession fees, now supply the majority of County Parks funding.  Another round of budget cuts is occurring now.  It had been proposed that County Parks be cut further.  The American River Parkway Coalition contacted County staff and Supervisors to request a “time certain” for the hearing on Parks budget cuts.  After that, County staff decided to remove Parks budget cuts from this round.Gay Jones reported on the recent American River Parkway Coalition meeting.  Two BRECA representatives attended the meeting.  Warren Truit, the President of the Save the American River Association, argued that the County must make a decision: either support Parks adequately, or let it become an independent organization.  There was considerable discussion about the future structure of County Parks.  There was also a meeting with the head of the Local Agency Formation Commission.  Several ideas are being discussed, including forming a special district or a conservancy.  There are advantages and disadvantages to each alternative.
   2. Issues from the Floor
      Bob Baptiste reported that his house had been burglarized in January.  The perpetrators gained entry to the garage, but not the main part of the house.
6. Meeting adjourned.

The next Steering Committee meeting will be held on March 23, 2010 at the Rancho Cordova Library.