BRECA Steering Committee Meeting Minutes 5-24-16

BUTTERFIELD-RIVIERA EAST COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

DATE: May 24, 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
Gay Jones
Jim Morgan
Rene Hamlin
Andrea White

1. Call to Order by Chair Rene Hamlin
2. Minutes of March 22, 2016
   Gay Jones made a motion to adopt the draft minutes for March 22, 2016.  Kelly Cohen seconded the motion.  The motion was approved unanimously.

3. Reports
   1. Treasurer’s Report
      Andrea White reported that the balance in the BRECA checking account was $4,548.14.

      Andrea reported that there had been an increase in expenses for the BRECA Web site to $92 total (from $50 budget).  Gay Jones made a motion to approve the additional amount for the Web site.  Lori Christensen seconded the motion.  The motion was approved unanimously.

      Jim Morgan reported that the expense for the 2015 membership renewals and thank you notes was $9.11 over the budgeted amount ($150).  Gay Jones made a motion to approve the additional amount.  Bonnie Domeny seconded the motion.  The motion was approved unanimously.

   2. CORPAC
      Gay Jones reported that there are a lot of proposed developments around Jackson Road which are being reviewed by the Cordova Community Planning and Advisory Council (CORPAC).  A proposal for surface mining had been scaled back.

      The digital sign request adjacent to Highway 50 was denied by CORPAC.  She stated that there are policy issues with the proposal, including having to do with esthetics and trying to reduce existing billboards.  The proposal will next go to the Planning Commission, then the Board of Supervisors.

      Bonnie Domeny stated that she attended the CORPAC meeting, and was concerned about visual impact and many exemptions requested by the proposed digital sign.  She was also concerned about advertising on the sign.

4. Old Business
   1. By-Laws Review Committee
      Ken Crawford stated that he had not had time to work on revising the By-Laws due to being on vacation.  He stated that he would have a draft out to the Steering Committee by Monday.
   2. American River Erosion Protection Project
      Jim Morgan gave a brief review of the Corps of Engineers erosion protection proposals for people who had not been to previous meetings.  The Corps has proposed to install rock covering of the river bank (rip-rap) or a launchable rock trench at the levee toe along about 11 miles of the Lower American River.  Either of the alternatives would have severe local impacts on biological resources, recreation and esthetics.  The Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA) has created a Bank Protection Working Group, consisting of government agencies, consultants, and stakeholders (e.g. BRECA), that is trying to generate a knowledge base to assess whether erosion protection is actually needed in specific areas and to find ways to minimize the impact of the measures to be undertaken.
   3. SAFCA Assessment District Proposal
      Jim Morgan also reviewed the proposed Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA) assessment district.  This proposed district would be a parcel tax for properties that would benefit from a group of flood control improvements that have been proposed.  These proposals include the erosion protection measures discussed above, modifications to Folsom Dam, Sacramento River levee work, widening the Sacramento weir and bypass, and doing work on small streams in north and south Sacramento.  A vote on the assessment district is scheduled in the next couple of months.  Some BRECA area properties will be in the district.  Jim noted that the assessment for his house would increase from $30 per year to $74 per year.  Kelly Cohen noted that her assessment was higher.  This is likely because she lives closer to the river.
   4. Old Business From the Floor
      Andrea White stated that she would like to start a first annual Community Yard Sale.  Thus far the committee working on this has 20 families that would sell from their houses, and 10 that will sell from Riviera East Park.  Those selling at the Park would be charged $10 fees.  The Cordova Recreation and Park District has directed that one-half go to charity, and one-half go to BRECA.  She stated that there would also be a flyer with a map of the participating houses and a sponsor has been found for the flyer.  She stated that they want to have a Bar-B-Que, estimated to cost $150.  She is asking BRECA to contribute $50 for the BBQ.  She wants a BRECA table in the Park, and items to sell.  This would include coffee, donuts, and water.

      Lynda Hammitt stated that the date for the Community Yard Sale is June 4, with sales from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, and the BBQ from noon to 2:00 pm.

      Lori Christensen expressed concern about the person offering to pay for the flyers, in particular whether advertising for the person (a real estate agent) would be included.  Rene Hamlin stated that she does not have a problem with accepting money, but not necessarily a sponsorship.  Jim Morgan stated that he would not support the proposal if there was advertising in the flyer for the sponsor.

      Gay Jones made a motion to approve the Yard Sale Committee proposal.  Andrea White seconded the motion.  The motion was approved unanimously.

6. New Business
   1. 2016/17 Steering Committee
      Elaine Crawford reported the results of the recent BRECA Steering Committee election.  She stated that there were 46 ballots received, but one was postmarked after the closing date for the election.  There were 2 write ins.  The people elected were: Kelly Cohen, Andrea White, Rene Hamlin, Gay Jones, Jim Morgan, Lori Christensen, Jay Domeny, Bonnie Domeny, and Lynda Hammitt.

      Rene Hamlin noted that the first meeting of the new Steering Committee will be in June.

   2. Transportation Sales Tax Proposal
      Jim Morgan stated that the Sacramento Transportation Authority has put together a proposal for a sales tax increase of 0.5% that would pay for additional transportation and related activities in Sacramento County.  After some controversy, the decision was to make 70% of the funds available for automotive, pedestrian and bicycle projects, with 30% available to mass transit.  Jim pointed out that on a per trip basis, this means that mass transit is getting $10 for every $1 going to automotive, pedestrian and bicycle projects. In order to be put before the voters, the proposal must first be approved by the County Board of Supervisors and several local cities.
   3. Annual Picnic
      Rene Hamlin noted that the owner of the Fusion Bowl restaurant offered to make food for the picnic.  She stated that she would like to get more businesses involved.  Andrea White commented that she has received donations from several businesses in the past.  The Picnic Committee is to consist of Lori Christensen (chair), Rene Hamlin, Andrea White, Bonnie Domeny, and Kelly Cohen.
   4. October Meeting
      Rene Hamlin observed that the Rosemont Community Association has had an informational meeting for items on the November ballot in the past.  She stated that BRECA should look into doing something similar.  There was considerable discussion on this suggestion, including observations that 60% of people do mail in ballots now, that it is hard to be neutral, that many groups larger than BRECA are doing similar things, that the Rosemont meeting for the Park Board election went very long, and that there are, at present count, some 19 initiatives to be on the ballot.  It was suggested that a survey through Nextdoor or of BRECA members be conducted to see if the community wants it.
   5. New Business From the Floor
      Bonnie Domeny stated that National Night Out is scheduled for August 2.  It is sponsored locally by Nextdoor.  She also commented that she is overbooked for August.

      Gay Jones stated that the Sacramento Metro Fire District runs a 4 day “Fire Camp” for children around 11-13 years old.  She handed out a flyer and application for the Fire Camp.

      Jim Morgan noted that BRECA had received flyers about air quality from the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District.  He distributed the flyers.

8. Meeting adjourned.

The next meeting will be a Steering Committee Meeting on Tuesday, June 28, 2016, at the Rancho Cordova Library.