BRECA Steering Committee Meeting Minutes 3-28-17

BUTTERFIELD-RIVIERA EAST COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

DATE: March 28, 2017
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
Lynda Hammitt
Gay Jones
Jim Morgan
Andrea White

 STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBER ABSENT

Jay Domeny

1. Call to Order by Chair Rene Hamlin

2. Guest Speaker Rebecca Garrison
   Rebecca Garrison with the Highway 50 Corridor Transportation Management Association state that they work with alternative transportation along the Highway 50 corridor.  She stated that May is bike month, and that they would like to do a community bike ride in the BRECA area.  The date is to be May 4, starting at 6:30 pm.  It is to be a family bike ride, about 4 or 5 miles, taking about 30 minutes.  They will do the organizing, and BRECA is to get the invitation out to neighbors.  It was agreed to participate.

3. Minutes of February 28, 2017
   Bonnie Domeny made a motion to adopt the draft minutes for February 28, 2017.  Gay Jones seconded the motion.  The motion was approved unanimously.

4. Agenda Items from the Community
   1. Blight
      Lucy Phillipson asked if there was anything that could be done about “blight.”  In particular, a tree fell down on a fence across the street from her house and nothing has been done about it.  She noted that the residents of the house speak Chinese.  Bonnie Domeny commented that if it is a code violation, one could call 311, and the County will come and investigate.  Rene Hamlin commented that if 311 does not get a result, then call Supervisor Don Nottoli’s office.  Gay Jones commented that it is good to get different people to call in.
   2. Maintenance in Riviera East Park
      Amy Gillingwater stated that she broke her leg in a hole in Riviera East Park about three weeks ago.  She noted that the hole was filled in the next day.  Bonnie Domeny stated that additional work had been done around the park filling in depressions.  Money from Measure J should become available in the second quarter of 2018.

5. Reports
   1. Finance
      Andrea White handed out a financial report on income and expenses so far this year.  She stated that she would try to schedule a Budget Committee meeting in the next few weeks.
   2. CORPAC
      Gay Jones stated that the main issue at the recent Cordova Community Planning and Advisory Council (CORPAC) meeting was Two Sisters Recycling in Rosemont.  They need to apply for a variance.  New County rules require recycling to be inside, but pre-existing locations can apply for a variance.  Three people from the neighborhood spoke in opposition, attributing scavengers in the area to the existence of the recycling business.  Carmen Mitchell commented that there were no problems with bugs or cleanliness at Two Sisters.  The variance was approved on a 6 to 1 vote.

      Gay Jones stated that the comment period on the Notice of Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report for the West Jackson Highway Master Plan had been extended.

      Carmen Mitchell stated that the new sign at the Capitol Christian Center is bright, and what was built is different from what was presented to CORPAC and BRECA.  Gay Jones noted that several variances were approved by the Board of Supervisors on a 3 to 2 vote.  Bonnie Domeny commented that once something is in place it is hard to change.  Kelly Cohen made a motion that the Chair send e-mails to Supervisor Nottoli and the Capitol Christian Center, stating that the lights are bright, and please turn them down.  Gay Jones seconded the motion.  It was noted that when the Capitol Christian Center representatives gave a presentation to BRECA, we did not take a position on the sign.  Rene Hamlin commented that we had been assured the sign would not be that bright.  The motion was approved unanimously.

   3. American River Parkway Coalition
      Gay Jones commented that ranger reports are available on the Parks web site.  She also spoke with Chief Ranger Mike Doane and he would like a letter supporting continuing to issue citations for illegal camping.
   4. Outreach Committee
      Lynda Hammitt reported that the existing membership application form is now on the BRECA website.  She also said that Lori Christensen had completed a list of accomplishments, and that a new membership flyer had been completed.  Jim Morgan stated that he had some concerns with the flyer.  In particular, it did not have a place where people could volunteer for specific tasks.  Volunteers have been very helpful in the past, especially with mailings and door-to-door distribution of flyers and the Newsletter.  Andrea White stated that the volunteer section did not seem like that important a use of space, and that the lists could become outdated.  Lynda Hammitt stated that we could send a follow-up e-mail about whether people are interested in volunteering.  Bonnie Domeny stated that the main goal was to get space for better graphics, and that she would like to test the new flyer at upcoming events and see how it works out.  The general decision was to go with the new flyer.
   5. Easter Egg Hunt
      Lori Christensen commented that the Easter Egg Hunt banner is missing.  People will look for it.  Bonnie stated that there is to be an egg-stuffing party on April 7th, and the flyers are to be mailed tomorrow.

6. Old Business
   1. California American Water Update
      Gay Jones stated that the BRECA motion for party status had been sent.
   2. Annual Meeting Preparations
      Suggestions for people to invite included Supervisor Don Nottoli, Assemblyman Ken Cooley, the Problem Oriented Policing (POP) officer, a representative from County Code Enforcement, and a representative from Cordova Parks.  Lori Christensen commented that there is a need to get started on the flyer.  Bonnie Domeny stated that she will work with Rene Hamlin on the flyer.
   3. West Jackson Highway Master Plan Notice of Preparation
      Jim Morgan stated that the BRECA comments on the West Jackson Highway Master Plan Notice of Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report had been submitted.

7. New Business
   1. Steering Committee Election
      Jim Morgan outlined the process for the upcoming Steering Committee Election.  Nominations will be accepted between the March and April BRECA meetings.  Those who accept nominations become candidates, and will be requested to submit candidate’s statements.  The ballots and candidate’s statements will go out about 7 to 10 days into April, with about two weeks for members to vote.  Votes will be counted at the May meeting.
   2. Native Plants for Parkway Planting
      Gay Jones stated that she would like funding for purchase of native plants for planting in the Parkway and bags for Starthistle pulling.  She made a motion that $70 be authorized for sponsorship expenditures for Mile Marker 12 South, of the American River Parkway.  Andrea White seconded the motion.  The motion was approved unanimously.

      Kelly Cohen stated that she had been working on an area behind her house for several years.  She would like to plant some native plants, like creeping wild rye.  Jim Morgan inquired as to whether a permit from County Parks was needed.  Gay Jones and Rene Hamlin commented that to do an official planting, a permit is needed.

   3. From the Floor
      Kelly Cohen stated that there is a new Conservancy for the American River, but that it has no money.  She wants to get letters of support from community organizations for bills in the legislature that would get money for the Conservancy.  Jim Morgan commented that there are two bills, one each in the Assembly and Senate.  Both are for bond money.  One has $5 million for the American River Conservancy, and the other does not specify an amount.  Lori Christensen stated that she would need to look at the specific language of the bills.  There was discussion on possible action by BRECA, and agreement that additional information is needed.  No action was taken.

8. Meeting adjourned.

The next meeting will be a General Meeting on Tuesday, April 25, 2017, at the Rancho Cordova Library.