BUTTERFIELD-RIVIERA EAST COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING MINUTES
DATE: April 26, 2016
PLACE: Rancho Cordova Library, 9845 Folsom Blvd., Sacramento, California
MEETING TYPE: BRECA General Membership Meeting
STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
Bonnie Domeny
Rene Hamlin
Gay Jones
Carmen Mitchell
Jim Morgan
Andrea White
- Welcome from Chair Rene Hamlin
- County Supervisor Don Nottoli
Supervisor Nottoli commented on a number of issues and concerns of the community. He thanked community representatives for communicating the concerns of the community to agencies and representatives (including himself). He stated that he has been supportive of the Sheriffs and Code Enforcement, and hopes that we are seeing results in the community. He commented that homelessness is a problem, manifested in activity on garbage collection days, thievery, and people using drugs. He stated that the Board of Supervisors has been working on the homelessness problem. He commented that the community has been diligent in following flood control issues. The Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA) will have a vote by mail soon, seeking approval of a new assessment district. Some, but not all, of the BRECA area is in the new district. The Sacramento Transportation Authority (STA) will likely be sponsoring a 1/2 cent sales tax on the November ballot to get money for road and mass transit maintenance and improvements. In order to be on the ballot, it must be approved by the STA Board, several cities in the area, and the Board of Supervisors. He also commented on the award for Problem Oriented Policing Officer Ralph Garcia to recognize his work in keeping the community safe.
- Award for Problem Oriented Policing Officer Garcia
Rene Hamlin presented a certificate from BRECA to Problem Oriented Policing (POP) Officer Ralph Garcia.
- The Landing
Chuck Shaw, with SyWest development, reviewed the current status of work on The Landing, i.e. redevelopment of the Drive-In theaters. He stated that a site plan was approved by the Board of Supervisors for about 409,000 square feet of businesses to replace the Drive In theaters. After the project was approved, a CEQA [California Environmental Quality Act] action was filed by neighboring property owners. This ended with SyWest buying out the owners. However, it delayed the project by about 5 years. In the interim, due to the recession, the prospective tenants backed out of the project. Many of them closed or changed their business models. SyWest is now trying to find two or more anchor tenants for the project.One member of the audience asked how long until the Bradshaw 6 Drive-In closes. Mr. Shaw responded not this year. Another question was about whether the Franchise Tax Board staff could come through the project and out at Bradshaw. Mr. Shaw responded that they would come out at Oates Dr. The project also includes an additional lane on Highway 50. Another question was whether there was anything we (the community) could do to help. Mr. Shaw stated that much of what they do is opportunity driven, and that they need synergy between retail centers and the walk-in theater, otherwise they would open and soon close again. He also stated that his boss has instructed him to get something done with The Landing.
- Complete Streets Master Plan
Jim Schubert, with Sacramento County Department of Transportation, described the recently approved Complete Streets Master Plan. He stated that Folsom Blvd. was originally for cars, and therefore incomplete. He stated that a “complete street” includes facilities for pedestrians, bicyclists, cars, and mass transit. The Board of Supervisors approved the Complete Streets Master Plan for Folsom Blvd. from Watt Ave. to Bradshaw Road. He stated that the Complete Street would slow down cars and make for a more business friendly environment. He stated that they may get funding around 2018, and still have to do environmental documents and business coordination.A question was asked about Folsom Blvd. from Bradshaw to Ron Beaudry, in Rancho Cordova. Mr. Schubert responded that Rancho Cordova is working on that area, and expects to bid the project later this year. Don Nottoli commented that the County has planted some trees on the south side of Folsom Blvd. between Butterfield Way and Bradshaw Road, and that this is part of the Master Plan. Mr. Schubert commented that they had previous meetings in the community, and incorporated suggestions from the people who attended those meetings, such as wider separation between cars and bicycles, concerns about the left turn from Folsom Blvd. eastbound to the businesses on the north side of the street, and a Light Rail overcrossing at Bradshaw Road (which is not expected to be funded as part of the Master Plan).
- Problem Oriented Policing (POP)
Officer Ralph Garcia, the Problem Oriented Policing (POP) Officer, commented that he appreciates the community support for his work, such as the award from BRECA [see agenda item 3]. He stated that he has a 4 person team, consisting of County Sheriffs and Rancho Cordova Police. The POP team deals with long term community problems. Homelessness is an ongoing problem. There are “navigators” who help people who want help with things like getting identification cards. One example of what the POP team does concerns a house on Alcosta Way that had transients and drug problems. They used a dedicated community prosecutor to put pressure on the owner. Ultimately there was an agreement with the owner that the owner had to move in to the house as a condition of the agreement. Another house had a fire, and they got it boarded up. He noted that all communities have problems with empty houses.
- Cordova Recreation and Park District
Jim Rodems, District Administrator of the Cordova Recreation and Park District, stated that he had been head of the district for about 5 years. That was when major economic problems hit the district. Major deficits occurred from 2011 to 2014, but 2015 had a large surplus. This was due in part to cost cutting measures at the district. Revenues are adequate for fund current operations, but there is no funding for replacements or upgrades at older parks and facilities. There are many needs in the parks and facilities, such as maintenance of playground equipment, reducing homelessness and drug use, safety, etc. The Park District is engaging the communities to prioritize needs. He requested that people fill out the community survey on paper or on line.A question was asked about the walkway on the east side of Riviera East Park, which is in bad shape and needs to be fixed. Mr. Rodems commented that they are prioritizing repair work, and also doing an Americans with Disabilities Act assessment, but it takes time.
- Meeting adjourned.
The next meeting will be a regular Steering Committee meeting on May 24, 2016, at the Rancho Cordova Library