BUTTERFIELD-RIVIERA EAST COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
DATE: September 24, 2013
PLACE: Rancho Cordova Library, 9845 Folsom Blvd., Sacramento, California
MEETING TYPE: BRECA Steering Committee Meeting
STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Lori Christensen
Kelly Cohen
Rene Hamlin
Jim Morgan
Rick Sloan
1. Welcome from Acting Chair Kelly Cohen
2. Minutes of August 27, 2013
Stan Mofjeld made a motion to adopt the draft minutes for August 27, 2013. Rene Hamlin seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.
3. Reports
a. Treasurer’s Report
There was no treasurer’s report
b. American River Parkway Coalition
Joe O’Connor reported that it was announced at the most recent American River Parkway Coalition meeting that four (4) new Sacramento County Regional Parks rangers were hired. There were no other items related to BRECA.
c. CORPAC
It was announced that there is another opening on the Cordova Community Planning and Advisory Council (CORPAC).
d. From the Floor
There were no items from the floor.
4. Old Business
a. California American Water Rates
Joe O’Connor reported that there was a pre-hearing before and Administrative Law Judge at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) regarding the proposal for increasing California American Water (Cal Am) rates. Joe was not able to attend due to traffic conditions. Joe was trying to meet with a representative from the Mark West Community Association (?) who opposes the proposed consolidation of the Larkfield district with the Sacramento district because it does not solve the underlying problems with the Larkfield district. Joe noted that people in the Larkfield district had tried to form their own water district separate from Cal Am, which may be why Cal Am is pushing for consolidation.
Joe also noted that the yearly cost for Cal Am water for his house is 3.5 times greater than the yearly cost under Citizens Utilities in 2003.
In response to a question about what can we do about the proposed rate increase, Joe noted that there will be hearings, likely in the first quarter of next year, where Cal Am, the Division of Ratepayer Advocates (DRA), and the public will be able to speak. The last time there were two hearings in Rancho Cordova, both packed with people. People who are concerned about the proposed rate increases should speak at the upcoming hearings. Joe agreed to try to get a DRA person to come to speak to us prior to the public hearings.
b. BRECA Picnic
There was discussion about people’s assignments for the BRECA picnic coming up on September 29. Rene Hamlin volunteered to explain Name Bingo to people. There was also discussion about fixing problems with the horse shoe game area.
c. From the Floor
There was a discussion about some houses not being maintained, and the suggestion that BRECA should become involved. Jay Domeny stated that he had approached a neighbor who was not mowing the lawn about mowing the lawn for the neighbor. Jay’s offer was refused. Lori Christensen stated that she has enough trouble keeping up with mowing her own lawn. It was pointed out that BRECA generally deals with sort of problem by referring the individual with concerns to the County Nuisance and Codes phone number.
Greg Vaughan suggested that BRECA should work on getting Folsom Blvd. between Bradshaw and Butterfield paved, because the westbound slow (number two) lane is in terrible condition.
There was discussion about how BRECA could better communicate with the community. Joe O’Connor suggested that the minutes from BRECA meetings could be put on the NextDoor.com web site.
5. New Business
a. Folsom Blvd. Tree Planting
Jim Morgan reported that he had been informed by Gay Jones that Supervisor Don Nottoli’s office had informed her that the planned Folsom Blvd. tree planting will be delayed until spring. The reason for the delay has to do with arranging for irrigation of the trees.
b. From the Floor
There was further discussion about actions that BRECA could undertake on behalf of the local neighborhoods.
6. Meeting adjourned.
The next meeting will be a Steering Committee Meeting on Tuesday, October 22, 2013 at the Rancho Cordova Library.