BUTTERFIELD-RIVIERA EAST COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
DATE: November 26, 2013
PLACE: Rancho Cordova Library, 9845 Folsom Blvd., Sacramento, California
MEETING TYPE: BRECA Steering Committee Meeting
STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Lori Christensen
Kelly Cohen
Gay Jones
Rene Hamlin
Stan Mofjeld
Jim Morgan
Mary Ann Winters
1. Welcome from Chair Gay Jones
2. Minutes of October 22, 2013
Rene Hamlin made a motion to adopt the draft minutes for October 22, 2013. Lori Christensen seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.
3. Reports
a. Treasurer’s Report/Audit
There was no treasurer’s report.
Gay Jones stated that we need an audit performed of the BRECA treasury. Jim Morgan pointed out that the last audit was for calendar year 2009. Andrea White volunteered to chair the audit. There was discussion of other candidates for the audit committee, which needs three (3) people.
b. NextDoor.com
Greg Vaughan reported that the Butterfield-Riviera East NextDoor.com now has 170 members. He stated that there are some gaps that need to be filled in. NextDoor is moving to doing mass e-mail because post cards are too expensive. Amy Gleason has been hired part time to work with police (sheriff?) to contact new organizations. He also stated that they would like to start regular neighborhood watch groups.
c. CORPAC
Gay Jones reported that a proposal to do mining at the end of Zinfandel Dr. has generated complaints from neighbors about truck traffic, but keeps getting postponed at the Cordova Community Planning and Advisory Council (CORPAC) meetings. She also reported that the County is proposing to reduce the affordable housing component required by developments from 15% down to 8%. Other jurisdictions are also considering reductions.
Jim Morgan enquired about the three proposed developments in the vicinity of the BRECA area: The Landing, Riverstone Square, and the high rise in the parking lot at Butterfield Light Rail station. Gay stated that The Landing permits required them to start construction of “something” in 2013. The Riverstone Square permits are good to 2015. Joe O’Connnor noted that Syufy had installed digital projectors at the drive in theater (proposed site of The Landing), suggesting that they are not planning to tear the drive in theater down any time soon.
Stan Mofjeld stated that he has a friend in Rancho Murieta who has told him that developers want to add 3,000 units there. Stan is concerned about the cumulative effect on Jackson Highway. The County is saying they will not do anything about Jackson Highway until the various developments are in. Gay Jones noted that Jackson Highway is being transferred from State to County jurisdiction.
d. American River Parkway Coalition
Joe O’Connor stated that the County wants to add 20 feet firebreaks around park areas, although he does not think that the County will do this at Gristmill. He also reported that there was a fire set by skateboarders, and that the leader of the group is to be fined $1,700. He also reported that the Save the American River Association (SARA) has stated that the proposed special event procedures violate the American River Parkway Plan and that SARA and the County are pushing back and forth on this issue.
Gay Jones reported that she went to a meeting last week where plans to change the large group and special event permitting procedures was discussed. There is concern about the use of the equestrian/hiking trail for competitive events. Also, there is no plan for measuring the impacts on trails and people of the large events. This issue is scheduled to come before the Board of Supervisors on December 10, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. Joe O’Connor stated that possibly the county is doing this to make more money for the Parkway. Kelly Cohen stated that several events had been approved that violate the Parkway Plan, such as the recent rock concert and the food truck event.
Lori Christensen stated that she is going to write a letter against the proposed procedures, due to adverse effects on the equestrian/hiking trails. She enquired about writing a BRECA letter. Jim Morgan stated that the issue is hideously complicated, with multiple possible interpretations of the Parkway Plan. Gay Jones referred to past practices, where the equestrian/hiking trail has not been used for competitive events, which supports the interpretation that it must be prohibited. Rene Hamlin questioned how much impact BRECA would have, and stated that she enjoyed concerts in Discovery Park and Eppies Great Race (a special event). Gay suggested that maybe we should encourage Parks to develop a monitoring plan, so objective data can be gathered. She pointed out that data are all anecdotal at this time.
Jim Morgan made a motion that BRECA send a letter to Supervisor Don Nottoli and others stating that we oppose use of the equestrian/hiking trail for competitive or other large events, and that there needs to be a monitoring plan for large events. Stan Mofjeld seconded the motion. There was discussion about the need for impartial observers for future impacts, and whether such a letter would imply that we did not object to other aspects of the proposed procedures. The motion was approved with 6 votes in favor and 1 opposed. Gay Jones and Jim Morgan are to write the letter and circulate it to the Steering Committee before sending.
e. California American Water
Joe O’Connor stated that there had been a considerable amount of activity in the most recent California American (Cal Am) Water rate hike request before the California Public Utilities Commission. Joe distributed a handout with relevant information.
f. From the Floor
There were no reports from the floor.
4. Old Business
a. From the Floor
Gay Jones stated that discussion of an Easter egg hunt had been requested at a previous meeting. Rene Hamlin spoke in favor of BRECA sponsoring an Easter egg hunt at Riviera East Park in 2014. There was discussion of the possible budget and the date, which was identified as April 12.
Gay Jones stated that funding had been authorized over one year ago for purchase of plants for “mini restorations” in the Gristmill area of the American River Parkway. Gay stated that she would like to pick out the plants, with advice from the Native Plant Society, and do planting before the next BRECA meeting.
Stan Mofjeld stated that the recent BRECA Newsletter was good. There was discussion about putting it on the BRECA web site.
5. New Business
a. Community Wildfire Prevention Plan/Foundation Letter
Gay Jones stated that applications are available for Neighborhood Fire Councils. Those interested should contact Leslie Miller at 859-4318 or Captain Chris Vextal at 616-2434, or go online at metrofire.ca.gov.
b. December Meeting/Social/Guest?
There was considerable discussion about whether and how to have a “social” at the December BRECA meeting, and whether to have Assemblyman Ken Cooley or his representative attend. It was agreed to have both a short business meeting and a social, and to invite Ken Cooley. Gay Jones made a motion to authorize up to $100 for expenses. Lori Christensen seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously. It was stated that BRECA should also mail a flyer to BRECA members.
c. From the Floor
Andrea White stated that a memorial bench for Steve Ebert, a Cordova Recreation and Park District employee who was killed by a former employee, had been installed at Riviera East Park.
6. Meeting adjourned.
The next meeting will be a Steering Committee Meeting on Tuesday, December 17, 2013 at the Rancho Cordova Library.