03-23-10 Meeting Minutes

BUTTERFIELD-RIVIERA EAST COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

DATE: March 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
Mary Ann Winters

1. Welcome from Chair Gay Jones
2. Minutes
   Jim Morgan noted that the spelling of Yeaw (in Effie Yeaw Nature Center) in the draft minutes had been corrected.  Kelly Cohen made a motion to accept the revised minutes.  Mary Ann Winters seconded the motion.  The motion was approved unanimously.
3. Reports
   1. Treasurer’s Report
      Kelly Cohen (treasurer) reported a balance of $4,745.14 in the BRECA bank account.
   2. CORPAC
      Paul Bowers reported that there are discussions concerning a negotiated end to the lawsuit filed in regard to The Landing.
   3. Membership Renewals
      Jim Morgan (BRECA Secretary) reported that letters had been sent to BRECA members who had not renewed their membership in 2009.  These letters stated that the member was to be removed from the membership list, and requested a response as to why the member had not renewed. The responses included two renewal checks.  One stated that they had expected to move out of the area, but plans had changed.  No other responses were received.
4. Old Business
   1. Flood Control and Habitat Restoration
      Gay Jones reported that Grant Kreinberg (with the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA)) had stated that SAFCA is committed to completing the restoration work this year.  He also stated that SAFCA and the Corps of Engineers agree on removing the dirt pad at the Kansas Access staging area, but that they are still discussing who will do the work.
      Joe O’Connor reported that 7 small trees that had been planted by an unknown person at the Kansas Access staging area had been removed.
   2. California-American Water Letter
      Joe O’Connor reported that he and Gay Jones had met with Andy Soule, the local General Manager of California American Water (Cal Am), and Evan Jacobs, the External Affairs manager, to discuss the recent and proposed water rate increases.  Mr. Soule stated that Cal Am is allowed to make about an 8% return on investments, but usually does not make that much.  Cal Am is privately financed, and does not receive taxpayer subsidies.  Cal Am provides water to 10 districts in Sacramento County.  The BRECA area is in the “Suburban District.”  Water rates are going up for a number of reasons, including the cost of installing meters, having to construct water storage tanks, more stringent water quality standards, and loss of a well due to contamination from Aerojet.  About 93% of the water delivered by Cal Am is groundwater, with the remainder purchased surface water.  Discussion began on capital improvement projects, but there was not enough time.There was discussion about having the Cal Am representatives come to a BRECA meeting, or possibly a meeting including adjacent communities.  After some discussion, it was agreed that another private meeting should happen first, to pursue technical issues that had not been discussed at the meeting with Andy Soule and Evan Jacobs.
   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 near the new book return.  Concern was expressed over possible degradation of the tree round due to sun and rain.  It was suggested that it could be mounted inside the entrance near the old book return.  Gay will raise this with library staff.
   4. Butterfield Special Planning Area
      Jim Morgan reported that BRECA had submitted 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 proposed two new alternatives, and identified important areas of environmental impact (e.g. traffic) that should be evaluated in the Draft EIR.  There has been no reply from the recipients of the BRECA response.
   5. American River Parkway Coalition Meeting
      Gay Jones reported that she had attended a second meeting of the American River Parkway Coalition.  The proposed benefit assessment district and Joint Powers Authority discussion is in limbo.  It appears that there will be additional cuts to County Parks funding in the coming fiscal year. Some members of the Coalition will be meeting with the Trust for Public Land to discuss possible funding sources for County Parks.
5. New Business
   1. Steering Committee Election
      Jim Morgan reported that the schedule for the Steering Committee election is to receive nominations from March to April, have the election in early May, and for the winners to take office in June.
   2. General Membership meeting
      There was a discussion of when to hold the General Membership meeting for 2010, and a meeting with Cal Am representatives.  Paul Bowers made a motion to have the meeting with Cal Am at the May 25 Steering Committee meeting, and have the General Membership meeting in the first week of December.  (unknown person) seconded the motion.  The motion was approved unanimously.
   3. Issues from the Floor
      Gay Jones asked if anybody had gone to the College Greens East Homeowners Association picnic.  Joe O’Connor stated that Rick Sloan had attended, but was not present at this meeting.
6. Meeting adjourned.

The next Steering Committee meeting will be held on April 27, 2010 at the Rancho Cordova Library.