01-26-16 Steering Committee Meeting Minutes

BUTTERFIELD-RIVIERA EAST COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

DATE: January 26, 2016
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
Andrea White

1. Call to Order from Chair Rene Hamlin
2. Presentation Regarding Digital Sign at Capital Christian Center
   Rick Cole, Pastor at Capital Christian Center, stated that the Center has an old sign that does not reach many people.  They would like to replace the old sign with a new, larger, digital sign.  They have been working with the County to get approval.  They plan no (commercial) advertising, but would announce church or community events.  It would cycle every 8 seconds.  It would be located in a place where it would only impact freeway traffic.Rick LeBurkien (with the Center) stated that they will open up the sign to the City of Rancho Cordova.  He also stated that they have been working with 15 departments, including County, Sheriff, and Department of Transportation.  He stated that the County came up with the present design and relationship to the church.  They are applying for a conditional use permit.Several people in the audience expressed concern with the brightness of the sign, and distraction from other, existing signs.  Rick LeBurkein stated that they can monitor brightness, and will check into interference with existing signs.  He stated that the proposed sign would be about 1/4 the size of the sign at Sacramento State University, which is technically called a billboard.  Rick Cole stated that they had originally wanted advertising, but the County would not permit that.One person in the audience stated that the Nextdoor website has a lot about problems in the area, and that she would welcome the messages of hope and brightness from the church.  Another person stated that he goes to the church, and the sign would enhance the community and promote involvement, as stated in the BRECA By-Laws.

   Rick Cole stated that they want to be good neighbors, serve the community, and take community concerns into consideration.  One person asked whether we could put BRECA announcements on the sign, and Rick LeBurkien stated yes.

3. Minutes
   Lori Christensen made a motion to adopt the draft minutes for December, 2015.  Bonnie Domeny seconded the motion.  The motion was approved unanimously.

4. Reports
   1. Treasurer’s Report
      Andrea White reported that the balance in the BRECA account at the end of last year was $4,426.14.  She also reported that, in 2015, BRECA had a net income of $303, compared to a budgeted net income of $32.  This was mainly due to reductions in expenditures.
   2. CORPAC
      Carmen Mitchell reported on the recent Cordova Community Planning and Advisory Council (CORPAC) meeting.  There was an item on the proposed Folsom Blvd. Complete Street Master Plan (see item 5b for a discussion of this proposal).

5. Old Business
   1. By-Laws Review Committee
      Ken Crawford stated that the By-Laws Review Committee had met and reviewed the letters and recommendations sent on revising the By-Laws.  He recommended breaking up some of the larger paragraphs with subheadings.  He stated that he hoped to have a draft of the proposed revised By-Laws ready before the next meeting.
   2. Folsom Blvd. Complete Street Master Plan
      Jim Morgan presented information on the proposed Folsom Blvd. Complete Street Master Plan.  He stated that this is an effort by Sacramento County, especially the County Department of Transportation.  Jim distributed a handout about the proposed plan.  The County is doing the Master Plan so that they can apply for grants to do a “complete street” on Folsom Blvd.  A “complete street” is a street that has space for pedestrians, bicyclists, autos, and mass transit users.  It also has some tree or bush plantings.  It is similar to what Rancho Cordova has been doing on Folsom Blvd.  The Plan is for Folsom Blvd. from Watt Ave. to Bradshaw Road, and from Hazel Ave. to the Folsom city limits.  Those are the areas administered by the County.  A public information meeting was held at the library on December 16, 2015, and there was a presentation at CORPAC on January 21, 2016.  Some BRECA people attended both meetings.Jim also stated that his comments at the public meeting and CORPAC were that the plan needs to incorporate plans for a Light Rail bridge over Bradshaw Road, and that there need to be multiple left turn lanes from Folsom Blvd. eastbound to businesses between Butterfield Way and Bradshaw Road.Carmen Mitchell asked why the Light Rail bridge.  Jim stated that it is an important project that our community needs, and we need to raise the profile of the project to get it going.  Kelly Cohen commented that she would like to see bicycle lanes separated from auto traffic.  Bonnie Domeny commented that there might not be enough room for separated bicycle lanes on Folsom Blvd.  Carmen also commented that she is concerned with cutting off access to businesses on the north side of Folsom Blvd. from eastbound travelers.  Bonnie also commented that Folsom Blvd. looks bad, so some trees would be nice.Jim raised the question of whether BRECA should take a position at this time.  It was generally agreed that it would be premature, since there is not a specific proposal to look at.  It was suggested that individuals should fill out a survey about the proposed plan on-line.
   3. Alcosta Problem House Letter
      Rene Hamlin stated that the BRECA letter concerning the problem house on Alcosta Way had gone out.  Jim Morgan requested that the final letter be distributed to the Steering Committee.  Bonnie Domeny stated that the County District Attorney met with the owners, and told the owners to rectify the problems at the house.
   4. From the Floor
      There was no old business from the floor.

5. New Business
   1. Easter Egg Hunt
      It was announced that the Easter Egg Hunt is scheduled for March 20.
   2. Annual Meeting
      Rene Hamlin stated that the Annual Meeting will be held on April 26, 2016.  Last year focused on safety issues, and this year she would like to focus on other issues, such as the proposed Light Rail station at Horn Road, the Folsom Blvd. Complete Street Master Plan, and The Landing.  A representative of the Sheriff’s Department could also be invited.  Jim Morgan pointed out that most of those proposals are far in the future.  Rene stated that she would like to let the community see what BRECA is working on.  Bonnie Domeny suggested that the American River erosion protection work could also be presented.  It was generally agreed to proceed as Rene had proposed.
   3. From the Floor
      Kelly Cohen stated that she had received a letter from the Corps of Engineers stating that the American River Common Features Final General Reevaluation Report and Final Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report have been released.

6. Meeting adjourned.

The next meeting will be a Steering Committee Meeting on Tuesday, February 23, 2016, at the Rancho Cordova Library.