BUTTERFIELD-RIVIERA EAST COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
DATE: June 26, 2012
PLACE: Rancho Cordova Library, 9845 Folsom Blvd., Sacramento, California
MEETING TYPE: BRECA Steering Committee Meeting
STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Paul Bowers
Lori Christensen
Gay Jones
Jim Morgan
Stan Mofjeld
Rick Sloan
1. Welcome from the Chair Gay Jones
2. Minutes of May 22, 2012
Rick Sloan pointed out that the draft minutes should say Steering Committee not General Meeting. Lori Christensen made a motion to adopt the amended minutes. Stan Mofjeld seconded the motion. The motion was adopted with four votes in favor and two abstentions.
3. Standing Reports
a. Treasurer’s Report
There was no treasurer’s report.
b. CORPAC
Paul Bowers reported that at the most recent Cordova Area Planning and Advisory Council (CORPAC) meeting, four large landowners in the Jackson Highway corridor south of BRECA want to change zoning to allow residential and business construction. This could have an impact on traffic in our area.
b. American River Parkway Coalition
Gay Jones reported that the County budget has added two new ranger positions for County Parks.
4. Old Business
a. Renewal of BRECA Websites
Joe O’Connor reported that he had renewed the two BRECA websites at a cost of $64.85. Paul Bowers made a motion to reimburse Joe for the expenditures. Lori Christensen seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.
b. Folsom Blvd. Walks
Stan Mofjeld reported that he had attended the first “What’s Next, Folsom Blvd.?” meeting on May 23. He stated that several people gave presentations on individual areas of transit-related development. The general objective seems to be to make areas around light rail stations more dense. Stan stated that he suggested having a light rail station at the library, having improvements to Folsom Blvd. similar to those in Ranch Cordova, and that he talked to County Supervisor Don Nottoli about not having a residential high-rise in the parking lot at the Butterfield Station.
Jim Morgan reported that he had attended the second meeting on May 24. He stated that the object of the meetings was to identify obstacles to transit-oriented development (TOD) and later to get grants to rectify those obstacles. The general object was to promote TOD. Jim suggested completing the sidewalks on the north side of Folsom Blvd. in the vicinity of the Butterfield Light Rail station, and install a grade separation (i.e. a bridge) for light rail where it crosses Bradshaw Rd.
During the discussion of the meetings, it was noted that at the second meeting there were 20 to 30 people in attendance, but only four were from the local area. After some discussion, it was agreed to invite Sacramento County planning staff to the next BRECA meeting to discuss the status of the TOD projects in the area.
c. California American Water Proposed Rate Increase
Joe O’Connor reported that the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has issued a decision on Phase 1 of the proposed California American Water (Cal Am) rate increase. Joe stated that the CPUC had authorized a 25.51% rate increase compared to the “test year” 2012 rates (a model of what the rates would be without an increase). Joe also stated that Cal Am had announced a 14.7% rate increase. Joe had contacted a Cal Am representative to clarify the difference, and the representative stated that there had been several small increases in the last year which, together with the 14.7% increase, totaled 25.51%. Parties to the CPUC action include the Natural Resources Defense Council and The Utility Reform Network, which have varying interests in the rate increase. One point of general agreement is that the Cal Am Sacramento area “loses” a considerable amount of water between the ground water that is pumped or otherwise acquired and what is billed (called “non-revenue water”). Cal Am has been instructed to do a cost/benefit analysis of measures to reduce “non-revenue water.” Another point of interest is that Cal Am will be going to monthly billing. There will be additional rate increases for 2013 and 2014 based on inflation and possibly unforeseen events.
The question was asked whether there would be a need for a future BRECA letter. Joe stated that there could be a need towards the end of Phase 2 proceedings, which will deal with issues not dealt with in the Phase 1 proceedings.
d. BRECA Newsletter
There was discussion of what to put in the upcoming BRECA Newsletter. Articles on the General Meeting, development south of the BRECA area (CORPAC), Cal Am water rates, and Chair’s column were assigned. Possibly there could also be an article on the status of the Transit Oriented Development projects around the Butterfield Station.
5. New Business
a. Steering Committee Election Results
Jim Morgan reported that all the candidates had been elected.
b. Election of New Officers
It was agreed that last year’s officers would continue in their current positions.
c. Levee Vegetation Symposium
Gay Jones announced that there will be a symposium on levee vegetation August 28-30. Possibly people from BRECA should go, but cost will be a factor.
d. Metro Fire Training Burn – July 1
Gay Jones reported that Metro Fire is planning a training burn off of Zinfandel, south of the developed area, on July 1.
e. From the Floor
Stan Mofjeld reported that 20 new, little, trees had been planted in Riviera East Park by the Eagle Scouts working with the Sacramento Tree Foundation.
Gay Jones stated that she has been talking with the Sacramento Tree Foundation about planting trees on the south side of Folsom Blvd.
Rick Sloan noted that the Asian market (“Smile Market”) on Bradshaw has a new mural.
6. Meeting adjourned.
The next meeting will be a regular Steering Committee meeting on July 24, 2012, at the Rancho Cordova Library