BUTTERFIELD-RIVIERA EAST COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
DATE: July 23, 2019
PLACE: Rancho Cordova Library, 9845 Folsom Blvd., Sacramento, California
MEETING TYPE: BRECA Steering Committee Meeting
STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
James Adams
Lori Christensen
Ken Crawford
Bonnie Domeny
Rene Hamlin
Gay Jones
Lee Leavelle
Jim Morgan
Andrea White
STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBER ABSENT
None
NUMBER OF GUESTS/MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: 23
1. Call to Order by Chair Bonnie Domeny
2. Guest Speakers Allen Fore and Steven Osborn, Kinder-Morgan
Alan Fore, Vice President of Public Affairs for Kinder-Morgan, gave a Powerpoint presentation overview of natural gas, petroleum products, and NGL (Natural Gas Liquids) pipelines and use in the U.S. and California. Pipelines carry most of these products in the U.S. Kinder-Morgan’s business is the transportation and storage of natural gas, petroleum products and NGLs. They are one of the biggest companies in this sector in the U.S. Kinder Morgan operates about 3,200 miles of pipelines and 22 terminals in California.
Steven Osborn, Manager of Operations for the Pacific Northern Region – Central Division of Kinder Morgan, spoke about the terminal and operations at Bradshaw Rd. and Folsom Blvd. He stated that they have 14 employees at the Bradshaw terminal, and it is staffed 24/7. The facility provides gasoline, jet fuel, and diesel to the area. Gasoline in the pipelines is generic: individual companies add their particular blends of detergents, etc. to the generic product. The Bradshaw terminal has 16 tanks, including ones for gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and ethanol. He stated that gasoline comes by pipeline from Concord to the Bradshaw terminal, and then goes by truck to retails stations. It is likely that the gasoline in our cars came through the Bradshaw terminal.
Regarding public safety concerns, the primary regulatory authorities are the U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and the California State Fire Marshall. He stated that there are lots of regulations they must follow. The tanks at the Bradshaw terminal are surrounded by berms that can contain 110% of the volume of the largest tank. They have extensive fire-suppression systems. They have a site-specific Fire Protection and Prevention Plan. They train with firefighters on an annual basis. They are inspected yearly by the State Fire Marshall, with major inspections every three years. They also participate in public relations efforts, including the call before you dig systems.
There were a number of questions regarding public safety from the audience. One question was what is the evacuation plan for the neighborhood. Mr. Osborn responded that it would be up to the local fire department, Sheriffs, and California Highway Patrol. Gay Jones commented that the evacuation plan would depend on where and how much of a problem there was. Another question was where would a spill go. Mr. Osborn responded that it depends on where it is. Most likely it would be contained, but if it goes to a stormwater drain it would end up in the river. Another question was what about a bomb. Mr. Osborn responded that they have not had an incident, but they have drills for that situation, and their staff inspects constantly. Another question was what about a fire. Mr. Osborn responded that they look at the worst case scenario, e.g. the largest tank, which holds about 15,000 gallons. They train with the fire department. Another question was what would be destroyed if there was an explosion. Mr. Osborn responded that it is hard to tell, they don’t have oxygen in the system, so it would not explode. Mr. Fore added that there was a fire at a truck rack in Southern California recently. There was an automatic shutoff, but the truck burned and fire fighters fought the blaze for a long time.
Another line of questions concerned other aspects of the system. One question was how much pressure is in the pipes. Mr. Osborn responded between 20 and 45 pounds per square inch. Another question was how deep are the pipelines. Mr. Osborn responded that they are typically about five feet deep, but it varies. Under the river it could be 30 feet. Gay Jones asked when the facilities were built. Mr. Osborn responded in the 1950s. Gay also asked about planting trees to screen the north side of the terminal. Mr. Osborn responded that they have to be careful, as they don’t want combustible material within the containment areas. Another question was how long the pipes last. Mr. Fore responded that they last for a long time. Mr. Osborn added that they have cathodic protection, which prevents rust. Mr. Fore added that they can fix sections of pipe when they get thin. Lee Leavelle asked whether all three products come through the same pipe. Mr. Osborn responded yes, but each product has specific characteristics, which they monitor so they can separate the batches. There are mixing zones between batches, which get sent back to the refineries for separation. Another question was whether the refueling station at the site belongs to them. Mr. Osborn responded no, it belongs to CarLock. A final question was how many trucks per day are loaded at the terminal. Mr. Osborn responded about 150 to 200 trucks per day.
3. Minutes
Several amendments to the draft minutes of June 25, 2019 were proposed and accepted. Lori Christensen made a motion to approve the amended draft minutes. Rene Hamlin seconded the motion. The motion was approved with 8 in favor and one abstention.
4. Questions or Comments from the Membership/Community on Non-Agenda items.
There were no questions or comments from the membership or community.
5. Reports
a. Treasurer
Andrea White (Treasurer) distributed the BRECA income and expenditures up to this time for the year. She noted that she is trying to work out some way to display “in kind” expenditures.
b. CORPAC
Gay Jones stated that there was a Cordova Community Planning and Advisory Council meeting this month. There were no issues of direct relevance to the BRECA area.
c. Outreach Committee
Rene Hamlin reported that the Outreach Committee discussed the Free Little Library that is to be installed in Riviera East Park. Lee Leavelle commented that it is to be installed tomorrow. Rene stated that there will be a ribbon cutting on July 31 at 4:00 p.m. in the park. Andrea White commented that the ribbon cutting is also for the new walkway in the park.
d. Membership
Jim Morgan reported that 41 Welcome Packets have been distributed. We are out of welcome packets, although there may be one or two at people’s houses. Unfortunately, the Sacramento Bee has stopped publishing residential sales, so we have no ready source of new addresses. There are four remaining addresses from the Bee that have not been given packets. The budget for Welcome Packets has been used up. We would need to allocate about $20 to print the materials and assemble 10 new Welcome Packets.
Lee Leavelle inquired whether any people have joined BRECA from the Welcome Packets list. Jim Morgan responded no. A member of the audience stated that there are intangible benefits to BRECA and the community.
James Adams made a motion to approve $40 to produce 20 new packets. Gay Jones seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.
Jim Morgan reported that BRECA has 99 memberships. Recent activity included one new membership and loss of two existing memberships.
6. Old Business
a. Update on Bradshaw Apartments Proposal
Lee Leavelle stated that after the last BRECA meeting the developer sent him a new proposal to consider. Lee sent it to some, but not all, members of the Steering Committee. Subsequently, the Apartments Committee, consisting of Jim Morgan, Gay Jones, Bonnie Domeny and Lee Leavelle met with the Principal Planner for Sacramento County to gain information on the approval process. It seemed that the proposal presented at the last BRECA meeting was generally opposed by those present. The newer proposal from the developer included reducing the height of the apartments next to the existing residential area from three stories down to two stories, installing a 10 feet sound wall at the property line, and planting larger trees. The developer told Lee that they could do this for the community or go with the Senate Bill (SB) 35 route. The SB 35 route is a streamlined process, with no subjective opinions. The developer indicated that the negative of the SB 35 route is that they would have to pay prevailing wages, which are higher.
Lee further stated that there are two state laws and one county program that allow increased density on the lot over existing zoning and no lower limits on parking. He raised the question of whether BRECA wants to take a position on the issue. He stated that the Apartments Committee agrees that we don’t like the original proposal, and would like the developer to stay within the Folsom Blvd. Special Planning Area (SPA) criteria on setbacks, etc.
James Adams commented that the proposal seems to be up in the air, and he is generally opposed, but there is not enough information. Bonnie Domeny commented that if the developer goes the SB 35 route, the County has 60 days to reject the proposal, and then 30 days to approve it after that. Gay Jones commented that there are three factors that allow deviations from the County codes. SB 35 requires 10% affordable housing, and gives one density allowance. The County Housing Incentive Program gives another deviation. The State Density Bonus gives up to 20% increase in density if there is affordable housing. The three can be layered.
Bonnie Domeny inquired about how we would know if the developer applied to the County. Lee Leavelle asked if there is a County list of projects, and commented that he is trying to contact the planner in that regard.
Jim Morgan stated that it is a difficult situation for BRECA: The developer can go through SB 35 or through a discretionary process with County Planning. The County is under enormous pressure from the State to approve housing projects. Possibly BRECA should take a position on the proposal presented at the last BRECA meeting. Lee Leavelle suggested sending a letter, thanking the developer for coming to the last meeting, but saying no thanks to the proposal. Gay Jones suggested using the BRECA guidelines. She made a motion to send a thank you note for attending, and reiterating the BRECA guidelines. James Adams seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.
b. From the Floor
James Adams commented that he had tried to contact Theresa Bible with the Tree Foundation regarding trees on the Bradshaw/Folsom Apartments site, but received no response. He will follow up.
Gay Jones requested that people call 311 and complain about the homeless storage unit across from 9555 Folsom Blvd.
7. New Business
a. Annual Picnic
Lori Christensen stated that the date for the BRECA picnic is September 28, from 4 to 6 pm. She distributed a list of tasks for the Picnic.
b. Great American River Clean Up, September 21
Lori Christensen stated that the American River Parkway Foundation needs a site captain for the Gristmill site of the Great American River Clean Up scheduled for September 21. After some discussion Lori volunteered to be the site captain.
c. From the Floor
Andrea White stated that the Cordova Recreation and Park District had received a tentative subdivision map for the Kassis property. This is the mostly undeveloped land just east of the BRECA area, north of Folsom Blvd. The proposal is for 198 units. There is no park land on the proposal. The Park planner indicates that a park is needed, and is estimated to be about 2 acres. Comments were submitted in June.
Gay Jones stated that BRECA should support the Park district and dedicated park land. Bonnie Domeny questioned whether this is the appropriate time to comment. Andrea responded that she does not know about the process, and needs to find out more.
Bonnie Domeny reported that she had been in touch with Theresa Bible with the Tree Foundation, and that Ms. Bible wants to do a mulching in Riviera East Park.
Lynda Hammitt commented that the Rancho Cordova Library will be closed for the next three days.
8. Meeting adjourned.
The next meeting will be a Steering Committee Meeting on Tuesday, August 27, 2019, at the Rancho Cordova Library.