08-25-15 Meeting Minutes

BUTTERFIELD-RIVIERA EAST COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

DATE: August 25, 2015
PLACE:  Rancho Cordova Library, 9845 Folsom Blvd., Sacramento, California
MEETING TYPE:  BRECA Steering Committee Meeting

STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT

Lori Christensen
Kelly Cohen
Bonnie Domeny
Rene Hamlin
Carmen Mitchell
Jim Morgan
Celia Rasmussen
Andrea White

1. Call to Order from Chair Rene Hamlin
2. POP Officer Presentation
   Bonnie Domeny stated that she had attended a meeting on gangs, and she thought it would be good for the group to be able to ask some specific questions on gang signs, clothing, tagging, etc.

   Deputy Jenkinson stated that gang signs, clothing and tagging are constantly changing.  Gangs are often race-related.  Two large Hispanic gangs are the Nortenos and Surenos (Northerners and Southerners, respectively).  The Nortenos wear red clothing, and tag the letter “N” and the number 14 (N is the 14th letter in the alphabet).  Deputy Bartilson comment that the Nortenos and Surenos fight, although the reason is not clear.  He also stated that the definition of a gang is more than three in a group and they engage in criminal activity (as defined in the Penal Code).

   Bonnie Domeny commented that there is some graffiti around the neighborhood, but she is not sure if it is gang-related.  Kate Rosenleib commented that local graffiti is mostly from kids.  She also stated that there is a considerable amount of graffiti in the Mayhew Drain, which their group has an agreement with Sacramento County Drainage to paint over.

   Deputy Bartilson stated that the BRECA area has no major gang activity, although there may be some bleed-over from other areas.  That is good news.

   Kelly Cohen stated that she has seen “odd-looking” people around the neighborhood.  Deputy Bartilson stated that they have been pushing transients out of their established areas, so the transients may be “testing the waters” around the BRECA area.

   Bonnie Domeny commented that BRECA is kind of surrounded by problem areas, and asked how to keep problems out.  Deputy Bartilson stated that if they are kids, the parents have to know.  Parents can contact the Sheriff’s office and check out what is going on.

   Lori Christensen commented that she had heard that the two hotels on Bradshaw attract people on probation from other counties because they are inexpensive places to stay.  She asked if there are gang-related people at the hotels.  Deputy Bartilson stated that they are mostly hard-core drug people.

   It was clarified that the POP (Problem Oriented Policing) officer is Deputy Garcia, who was not able to attend tonight’s meeting.

   Kelly Cohen stated that she thought there might be prostitutes at the hotels.  Deputy Bartilson stated that prostitution is just a misdemeanor, and punished lightly if at all.  Today prostitutes have web sites, and meet at the hotels.  To catch them, the Sheriff’s department has to do a sting.  This can involve up to 8 officers, and net a couple of busts.  One has to wonder if it is worth the effort.

   Rick Sloan stated that this summer they had a car stolen, and it was “found” outside a house on Hyannis known to be a problem.  But, there were no suspects or fingerprints.  Deputy Bartilson commented that it is hard to prosecute car theft.  They can’t just find a person in the car, but need a statement from the owner that the owner did not lend the car to that person.

3. Minutes from July 28, 2015
   There was a considerable amount of discussion of the draft minutes from July 28, 2015.  Several proposals were made for changes.  There was consensus to incorporate many of the proposals.  It was requested that the amended draft minutes be circulated to the Steering Committee.  Bonnie Domeny made a motion to table the minutes until the September BRECA meeting.  Carmen Mitchell seconded the motion.  The motion was approved with 7 in favor and 1 opposed.

4. Reports
   1. Treasurer’s Report
      Andrea White reported that the BRECA account has $4,330.35.
   2. CORPAC
      Carmen Mitchell stated that there is nothing to report from CORPAC (Cordova Community Planning and Advisory Council).

5. Old Business
   1. By-Laws Discussion
      Jim Morgan stated that this item comes from a motion at the June 2015 meeting to review and possibly amend the BRECA By-Laws section on Steering Committee elections.  Proposals are to be discussed by the Steering Committee.  Jim stated that he had drafted and circulated to the Steering Committee a series of draft proposed amendments to that section of the By-Laws.  There was a consensus to limit the time for this item.

      The first proposed amendment was to change the language stating that the elections occur in March to begin in March.  It was pointed out that this leaves the time for the elections indeterminate.  The proposal was modified to read that the elections begin with the March Steering Committee meeting and conclude at the May Steering Committee meeting.  This language was adopted by consensus.

      The second proposed amendment was to add a statement that a person cannot nominate his or her self.  After some discussion of the purposes of the nomination process, there was consensus to adopt this proposal.

      At this point the time limit had been passed, and the item was continued to the September Steering Committee meeting.

   2. Picnic (September 20th)
      Lori Christensen circulated a copy of the flyer for the picnic.  It was suggested that “cake” be added to the items that BRECA will supply.  This was agreed.  Lori Christensen and Jim Morgan will have the flyer printed and do the mailing.
   3. Noise From the Strip Mall
      Bonnie Domeny stated that they have not had a noise problem lately from the Blow Lounge in the strip mall.  She also stated that, according to Deputy Garcia, County Finance is considering what to do.

6. New Business
   1. From the Floor
      There was no new business from the floor.

7. Meeting adjourned.

The next Meeting will be a Steering Committee Meeting and will be held on Tuesday, September 22, 2015, at the Rancho Cordova Library.