BUTTERFIELD-RIVIERA EAST COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
DATE: August 27, 2013
PLACE: Rancho Cordova Library, 9845 Folsom Blvd., Sacramento, California
MEETING TYPE: BRECA Steering Committee Meeting
STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Kelly Cohen
Rene Hamlin
Stan Mofjeld
Jim Morgan
Rick Sloan
1. Welcome from Acting Chair Kelly Cohen
2. Minutes of July 23, 2013
Stan Mofjeld made a motion to adopt the draft minutes for July 2013. Rene Hamlin seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.
3. Reports
a. Treasurer’s Report
Kelly Cohen (Treasurer) reported that the BRECA bank account had a balance of $3,777.00
b. American River Parkway Coalition
Kelly Cohen reported that at the recent meeting of the American River Parkway Coalition there were discussions of a software program called Parkwatch that the Save the American River Association (SARA) has decided to buy and the upcoming hearing on the County budget, scheduled for September 10, 2013 at 2:00 pm.
4. Old Business
a. BRECA Picnic
Sunday, September 29, 2013 was confirmed as the date for this years BRECA potluck picnic. Volunteers were taken for various tasks for the picnic.
b. From the Floor
Joe O’Connor clarified that the rate increases in the most recent California American (Cal Am) Water rate application for Sacramento are 10.33% for 2015, 4.04% for 2016, and 3.22% for 2017, for a total of approximately 18.5%. The increases he quoted at the last meeting were for California as a whole. Joe also noted that there are 33 special requests in the most recent application that normally would not be included in a general rate application. The Division of Ratepayer Advocates (DRA) is protesting these special requests. One of the special requests is to consolidate the Sacramento and Larkfield districts. This would have the effect of lowering the rates in Larkfield and increasing the rates in Sacramento. This has been tried before, and is inconsistent with California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) guidelines. Joe also pointed out that there will be an extensive CPUC process with the rate increase request. It will include one or more public hearings before an Administrative Law Judge and an alternative (probably lower) proposal by the DRA. Chuck Pineda stated that large properties north of the American River still have flat rates, and that this is an unfair subsidy. It was pointed out that these properties may not be part of the Cal Am service area, so there would not necessarily be a subsidy. Also, there is a state requirement for all public water systems to use meters eventually.
Stan Mofjeld reported that the survey work on the upstream end of the Mayhew-Gristmill levee by the Corps of Engineers had been completed. Those property owners who did not agree with the Corps’ request for a year of access allowed the surveyors onto their properties verbally for one day. Surveying was done to approximately 30 feet onto the properties. It was suggested that alternative proposals for the tie-in from the upstream end of the existing levee to high ground could be released in about one year.
5. New Business
a. BRECA Newsletter
Jim Morgan stated that he would like to see a BRECA Newsletter for the membership come out in October. There was general agreement with this proposal. Volunteers were taken for articles for the Newsletter.
b. From the Floor
There was considerable discussion about the desirability or lack of desirability of various businesses in the area. In particular, the pool hall and the newly opened pawn shop on Folsom Blvd. were characterized as attracting undesirable people. Concern was also expressed about the clientele of the motels on Folsom Blvd. It was noted that, in the current economic situation, some businesses must cater to lower income people.
6. Meeting adjourned.
The next meeting will be a Steering Committee Meeting on Tuesday, September 24, 2013 at the Rancho Cordova Library.