09-22-15 Meeting Minutes

BUTTERFIELD-RIVIERA EAST COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

DATE: September 22, 2015
PLACE:  Rancho Cordova Library, 9845 Folsom Blvd., Sacramento, California
MEETING TYPE:  BRECA Steering Committee Meeting

STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT

Lori Christensen
Bonnie Domeny
Rene Hamlin
Jim Morgan
Andrea White

1. Call to Order from Chair Rene Hamlin
2. Minutes from July 28, 2015
   Lori Christensen made a motion to adopt the revised draft minutes from July 28, 2015.  Bonnie Domeny seconded the motion.  The motion was approved unanimously.

3. Reports
   1. Treasurer’s Report
      Andrea White reported that the BRECA account has $4,330.35.
   2. CORPAC
      There was no CORPAC (Cordova Community Planning and Advisory Council) report.

4. Old Business
   1. By-Laws Discussion
      The Steering Committee continued to review the proposed amendments to the BRECA By-Laws submitted by Jim Morgan.  (The first two proposals were dealt with at the August BRECA meeting)

      The third proposed amendment was to add that candidates for Steering Committee must be members in good standing.  There was consensus to adopt this proposal.

      The fourth proposed amendment was to add that write-in votes would not be accepted.  After some discussion this was changed to would be accepted if they are a member in good standing.  There was consensus to adopt this proposal.

      The fifth proposed amendment was to add that Steering Committee members take office at the June BRECA meeting.  There was consensus to adopt this proposal.

      The sixth proposed amendment was to add that Steering Committee members must be members in good standing.  There was consensus to adopt this proposal.

      Rene Hamlin raised a question as to whether married members should both be on the Steering Committee.  It was pointed out that BRECA usually has a hard time filling all the Steering Committee positions, so there is a definite benefit to allowing two married people to be on the Steering Committee.  Bonnie Domeny stated that she had talked to one member who did not want to vote for two people who were married to be on the Steering Committee, and that it is an issue of “transparency.”  Jim Morgan stated that there has never been any malfeasance due to two married people being on the Steering Committee, so there really is no issue here.  Andrea White stated that, in the Human Relations world, it is not really anybody’s business whether two people are married, so prohibiting or disclosing this would not be something one would do.

      Bonnie Domeny raised that question of whether there needs to be a secret ballot if there are 9 or fewer candidates, and whether a vote could be done at the General Meeting in April.  It was pointed out that the General Meeting is not always held in April, and trying to put together a vote in the short time frame required would be logistically difficult.  Also, it would not allow for the candidates to submit statements, which can be a valuable means of communicating with the membership.

      Bonnie Domeny suggested that, if there is to be a secret ballot, opening the ballots should be done publicly.  There was consensus to adopt this suggestion.

      Bonnie also suggested that when dates for election deadlines are established, they should be posted on the web site.  There was consensus to adopt this suggestion.

5. New Business
   1. Wood from Tree
      Bonnie Domeny stated that there is a big burl in a walnut tree that has been cut down in the park.  There was discussion about whether someone might be interested in acquiring the burl.  It was agreed to put it out on NextDoor and to the BRECA membership.
   2. Corps of Engineers Proposed Erosion Work
      Jim Morgan reported that the Corps of Engineers General Reevaluation Report (GRR) and associated environmental documents had received 471 comments from 39 distinct parties.  The Corps and associated flood protection agencies are working on responses to comments.  Next the final GRR will go up to higher levels for review and approval, then back to the public, scheduled for early 2016.

      In addition to the GRR, a new group has been formed at the initiative of the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA), called the Bank Protection Working Group (BPWG).  The BPWG consists of people from several government agencies, private contractors, and a few interested stakeholders (like BRECA).  The first meeting of the BPWG was today.  The purposes of the BPWG are to get started on erosion protection work earlier than the GRR process would allow and to bring in stakeholder input on proposed work.  The first meeting mainly consisted of a review of some of what is known about the erosion potential of the section of the Lower American River that has levees.

   3. Newsletter
      There was a discussion about the upcoming BRECA Newsletter, which could come out in November.  Tentative articles or features include the picnic, Easter egg hunt, Corps of Engineers GRR, Cal Am water sediment, the General Meeting, Letter from the Chair, and Bark in the Park.
   4. From the Floor
      A resident of the BRECA area stated that she and her family live directly behind the new Kik It Lounge.  She stated that they experience noise from people talking and smoke from cigarettes and hookahs.  She has contacted the County about these problems.  She also stated that people on the other side of the wall had been talking in a threatening manner.  Bonnie Domeny commented that when the BRECA resident communicates with Deputy Garcia, she should also send copies to Cheryl Venegas and Supervisor Don Nottoli.

6. Meeting adjourned.

The next Meeting will be a Steering Committee Meeting and will be held on Tuesday, October 27, 2015, at the Rancho Cordova Library.