BUTTERFIELD-RIVIERA EAST COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
DATE: January 28, 2014
PLACE: Rancho Cordova Library, 9845 Folsom Blvd., Sacramento, California
MEETING TYPE: BRECA Steering Committee Meeting
STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Paul Bowers
Lori Christensen
Kelly Cohen
Rene Hamlin
Stan Mofjeld
Jim Morgan
Mary Ann Winters
1. Welcome from Acting Chair Paul Bowers
2. Minutes of December 17, 2013
Rene Hamlin made a motion to adopt the draft minutes for December 17, 2013. Lori Christensen seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.
3. Reports
a. Treasurer’s Report
Jim Morgan reported that the balance in the BRECA checking account was $3,992.87.
b. American River Parkway Coalition
Joe O’Connor reported that County Parks is using goats to do fuel reduction on the bluff. There is a problem with off road bicycling on the horse trails. According to chief ranger Lumsden, rangers have been giving out warnings and citations for off-leash dogs. There have been 61 fires in the parkway, including illegal campfires. Kelly Cohen reported that water releases to the river have been reduced so that steelhead will spawn in the water levels expected to be available later in the year.
c. Nextdoor.com
Greg Vaughan reported that the Butterfield-Riviera East Nextdoor site is approaching 200 members. They are working on setting up neighborhood watch groups, and had a meeting with Sheriff’s representatives last week. Rene Hamlin noted that the Sheriff is being proactive with Vince’s and the Casa Linda motels, and checking the guest list for parole and other violators. The Sheriffs arrest about one person per week at the site. Greg Vaughan also stated that they want to make a flyer about forming neighborhood watch groups and distribute to the neighborhood. The Sheriff’s representative stated that there should be around 16 houses per block captain, so many block captains will be needed. He also noted that the Sheriff has a “vacation watch” program where volunteer Sheriffs will check on your house while you are away.
d. CORPAC
Paul Bowers stated that there is a lot of development planned around Jackson Road and Bradshaw Road. The County is going to try to finance bus lines for the area by Mello-Roos fees. The plan is to wait until the development occurs to do the bus lines.
e. Community Fire Protection Plan Stakeholders meeting
Jim Morgan stated that he had attended a meeting of the Community Fire Protection Plan (CFPP) Stakeholders on January 16, 2014. While there he had also had discussions with Mary Maret (County Parks) and Metro Fire personnel about the firebreaks that are planned for part of the American River Parkway. He stated that the areas in question are Woodlake and Cal Expo, and possibly Sacramento Bar, but not the Gristmill area. The CFPP’s objective is to get grants to do fuels reduction in the Parkway, and also to improve fire resistance of buildings near the Parkway. Jim stated that this is something that needs to be watched, as fuels reduction can have a significant adverse impact on plant and animal communities.
Paul Bowers stated that Gay Jones told him that they (who?) may want to “blade” the trail/road that runs from the Gristmill entrance to the Mayhew Drain. Jim stated that his preference would be for the trail to go back to a more natural state, now that the levee work is mostly complete.
f. From the Floor
Andrea White and Rene Hamlin had a discussion about whether a permit will be required for the Easter Egg Hunt. There was also a discussion about overwatering at Riviera East Park, and problems with the pathway.
4. Old Business
a. Mini-Restoration
Rene Hamlin reported that a date for work at the recent burn area had been posted on NextDoor.com, and that people are saving leaves for mulch.
b. Cal Am Water Rates
Joe O’Connor reported that California American Water Company (Cal Am) is doing an update to their rate request. The Division of Ratepayer Advocates (DRA) is saying this is a de facto new application, but Cal Am disagrees. A DRA report on the rate request is due in mid March, and hearings before an Administrative Law Judge are expected soon afterwards. Jim Morgan requested that Joe try to get a DRA representative to come to a BRECA meeting.
c. BRECA Website
Joe O’Connor stated that he had been having difficulties with the BRECA.us website, but found a way to work around the difficulties.
5. New Business
a. 2014 Budget Analysis
Jim Morgan handed out an analysis of BRECA income and spending for 2010 to 2013. He stated that there had been a long-term decline in BRECA income up to 2012, with a small increase in 2013. BRECA’s expenses and income were roughly balanced for 2010 and 2011, but there were large deficits for 2012 and 2013. The primary reason for this was that the mailing for the Community General Meeting costs $600 to $700. Jim expressed the opinion that it would be difficult to stop the Community General Meeting mailing because of the large turnouts.
There was discussion about whether there is a problem or not. Jim pointed out that if BRECA continues as it has the last two years, it would be broke in about 6 to 8 years. Also, the BRECA checking account has fees if it drops below $1,500, and BRECA needs a cushion for sudden large expenses such as an attorney or technical specialist. There was discussion about the appropriate criteria for budget considerations, whether it should be a specific standing balance or a balance of income and outgo.
There were suggestions about increasing BRECA income, including advertising in the Newsletter and recruiting new members. It was stated that BRECA has a long standing policy of not having advertising in the Newsletter, except for Bradshaw Pack and Ship, which provides BRECA with a mailbox in return for the advertising. Paul Bowers pointed out that it has been hard to get people to join BRECA, even when they come to BRECA meetings and events, and that this is typical for community and neighborhood associations.
Lori Christensen suggested getting a group of people together to analyze the situation. Rene Hamlin made a motion to form a Budget Committee. Lori Christensen seconded the motion. Rene Hamlin, Jim Morgan, Kelly Cohen, Andrea White and Joe O’Connor volunteered to be on the committee, and Rene Hamlin volunteered to chair the committee. The motion passed unanimously.
b. BRECA 2014 Calendar
BRECA’s calendar of events for the year was agreed upon as follows:
i. Spring Easter Egg Hunt: April 12
ii. Annual Meeting: April 22
iii. Ice Cream Social June 22: 3:00 pm
iv. Picnic: September 14
v. December meeting/Holiday gathering: December 16.
Rene Hamlin also asked for BRECA support for National Dog Day and National Night Out. This was agreed to by consensus.
c. From the Floor
There was no new business from the floor.
6. Meeting adjourned.
The next meeting will be a Steering Committee Meeting on Tuesday, February 25 at the Rancho Cordova Library.