BUTTERFIELD-RIVIERA EAST COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
DATE: August 27, 2019
PLACE: Rancho Cordova Library, 9845 Folsom Blvd., Sacramento, California
MEETING TYPE: BRECA Steering Committee Meeting
STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT
James Adams
Lori Christensen
Bonnie Domeny
Rene Hamlin
Gay Jones
Lee Leavelle
Jim Morgan
STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT
Ken Crawford
Andrea White
NUMBER OF GUESTS/MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC: 8
- Call to Order by Chair Bonnie Domeny
- Questions or Comments from the Membership/Community on Non-Agenda items.
There were no questions or comments from the membership or community.
- Minutes
Gay Jones made a motion to approve the draft minutes of July 23, 2019. Rene Hamlin seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.Jim Morgan read a motion which was considered by email after the July 23, 2019 meeting, as follows:
Lee Leavelle made a motion to amend said motion [concerning the July 23, 2019 motion to send a message to Mr. Mammadov concerning the Bradshaw/Folsom Apartments] to write an email to Mr. Mammadov thanking him for his presentation, advising him that the community has overwhelmingly rejected his proposed development, not reviewed his revised proposal with the entire community, and then advising him of the community’s long standing guidelines for development. The motion was seconded by Gay Jones. There were 7 votes in favor of the motion, and 2 non voting Steering Committee members.
- Reports
- Treasurer
There was no report from the Treasurer. - CORPAC
Gay Jones stated that there was no Cordova Community Planning and Advisory Council (CORPAC) meeting this month. - Parkway Coalition
Gay Jones reported that there is a new Deputy Parks Director, and that one of the duties of that position is to monitor and maintain parks resources. She also stated that there are around 500 to 700 boats rafting the Parkway per day on summer weekends. Also, County Parks picks up about 170 tons of trash per month. - Outreach Committee
Rene Hamlin reported that the Outreach Committee met. The Free Little Library in Riviera East Park is doing well, with books in and out. James Adams commented that there are around two-thirds as many books as before. Rene commented that there has not been any vandalism up to this point.Lori Christensen reported that the Great American River Clean-Up (GARCU) is scheduled for September 21, from 9 am to noon. She will staff a table at the Gristmill parking area. The American River Parkway Foundation, which sponsors the GARCU, wants people to sign up on their web site. Last year the Gristmill site had about 20 people, and about 150 pounds of trash. Also, there were several kayaks and canoes that put in at the site.Lori also reported that the BRECA picnic is scheduled for Saturday, September 28. Fire fighters are expected to appear.
- Membership
Jim Morgan reported that the Sacramento Bee is publishing residential sales again. If we take advantage of the opportunity to deliver Welcome Packets, we will likely need more packets than are currently funded. He enquired whether the Steering Committee might want to allocate an additional $40 for packets. After some discussion, it was agreed to consider this when the Treasurer is at the meeting.
Jim Morgan reported that BRECA has 99 memberships. There have been no recent changes.
- Treasurer
- Old Business
- Update on Bradshaw Apartments Proposal
Lee Leavelle stated that after the BRECA meeting in July the developer (Mr. Mammadov) sent him a new proposal to consider. The proposal has been posted on the BRECA website, but that has not generated any interest. Lee added that he had emailed the proposal to people who live on Elmira Circle. Out of five people, only one responded, who said that they should do something consistent with the existing Folsom Blvd. Special Planning Area.Lee stated that, because of discussions, we need to discuss this second proposal at the Steering Committee level. Jim Morgan distributed handouts with the second proposal. Lee stated that the changes in the second proposal were to reduce the height of the buildings closest to the existing residential area from three stories down to two stories, to add a 10 feet high soundwall along the north side next to the existing residential area, to plant 15 o 17 feet tall trees between the apartments and the residential area, and to reduce the number of units from 65 down to 62. Lee stated that Mr. Mammadov is willing to cut back the project to avoid the requirement in SB 35 (Senate Bill 35) to pay prevailing wages during construction. He may be willing to talk to us about the project. Sacramento County staff are not optimistic about chances to stop the project due to changes in State laws.Jim Morgan commented that the project is likely to go forward in one form or another if Mr. Mammadov is willing to put up the money. He recommended that we wait for a response to the recent BRECA letter to Mr. Mammodov and formulate action at the next meeting. A member of the audience commented that people need housing, and if we don’t get this project, the next proposal may well be five stories high. Rene Hamlin stated that we should want to get Mr. Mammadov’s ear, and represent the community. A member of the audience enquired about the shortage of parking in the proposals.Lee Leavelle commented that Sacramento County staff is gathering data for a housing plan revision, including low income. Possibly if we get ahead of the curve we could have input. A member of the audience enquired about the low income housing in the proposals. Lee stated that the proposals have 10% low income and 10% disabled or other special needs.
Gay Jones stated that BRECA needs to stay engaged. The questions are in the details.
Rebecca Sloan, a member of Supervisor Nottoli’s staff, commented that if the state establishes SB 35 eligibility, that will expedite the process, and there is limited ability of the County to influence the project. Supervisor Nottoli has talked with Mr. Mammadov. Mr. Mammadov is not a developer, and lacks experience with projects. She also stated that the Sacramento region is being assessed on how it is doing on producing housing units. The County is working hard to identify land for affordable housing. The area needs a lot more housing, and the market is going towards bigger projects.
Gay Jones commented that various State laws allow deviations from County Codes, and that we need to be engaged with the process. A member of the audience commented that deviations from County Codes require a conditional use permit or variance. James Adams asked whether we are OK with the second proposal from Mr. Mammadov, or should we ask for more? Also, should we wait for something to be presented, or take the initiative ourselves?
Lori Christensen asked whether we should send the second proposal to people on Elmira or people from the sign-in list. Bonnie Domeny commented that she has talked to the people on Elmira and they are aware of the proposal.
Lee Leavelle commented in response to the questions posed above by James Adams, that if Mr. Mammadov goes with SB35, there will be no second proposal.
Jim Morgan stated that he would like to be clear that we want information from Rebecca Sloan, with Supervisor Nottoli’s office, about the SB 35 process, and the non-SB35 process.
- Kassis Estates Proposal
It was clarified that the Kassis Estates proposal refers to a residential project in the undeveloped area between Stacie’s Chalet and the Tiffany neighborhood. Gay Jones commented that she has not heard anything new since the last meeting. She wants to reiterate support for the Cordova Recreation and Park District for a park as part of the project, and also for an American River Parkway setback and access. A question from the audience was whether the proposal includes Mira Del Rio Dr. going through. Lee Leavelle commented that the proposed plan does not have Mira Del Rio Dr. going through. - Community Sign
James Adams commented that tree branches had been cut from in front of the Community sign at the library, and that the sign is now more visible. - Sacramento Tree Foundation
A member of the audience stated that he had met with Theresa Bible with the Sacramento Tree Foundation concerning getting more trees for Riviera East Park. He would like to have a meeting with the Cordova Recreation and Park District and a Tree Foundation forester.Gay Jones requested that people call 311 and complain about the homeless storage unit across from 9555 Folsom Blvd. - From the Floor
There was no Old Business from the floor.
- Update on Bradshaw Apartments Proposal
- New Business
- From the Floor
There was no New Business from the floor.
- From the Floor
- Meeting adjourned.
The next meeting will be a Steering Committee Meeting on Tuesday, September 24, 2019, at the Rancho Cordova Library.