Meeting called to order at 7:00PM.
Present were Ruby Molinari, Erica Peng, Wendi Gosliner, Barbara Pendergrass, Tom Mason, Marilynne Mellander and alts. Tom Owens and Charles Marino. Hope Scott not present and was an excused absence.
Pledge of Allegiance led by Tom Mason.
Minutes corrections made by Wendi Gosliner, Ruby Molinari, Terrance Cheung, and Eleanor Loynd: M,S,P to pass as corrected.
Treasurer’s Report: No report as Hope Scott absent.
Consent Calendar:
Marilynne Mellander removed items 10.1 – 10.7; Wendy Gosliner moved we adopt item 10.8: M,S,P.P.1 –
Presentations:
P.1 Supervisor Gioia gave report and explained he had come to meeting to be present with Carlos Baltodano. He gave updates on following topics:
- General Plan workshop will be held after traffic analysis work is done; data showing impacts on local streets, including Hilltop Dr. up to the year 2020 are needed.
- County budget workshops and said budget to be approved on 6/21/05.
- County contract with AMR ambulance service and related services that AMR will provide including community CPR training, et al.
- Casino update
- Announced Don Delcollo and wife had been appointed to County Grand Jury
- “Nexus” (?) park study (“in lieu” fee) and announced proposal to raise fee for new homes to $5400 per house which will go to R9 fund
He fielded questions on CPR training, County budget, and fire service agreements.
P.2 - Sheriff’s Crime Report: Lt. Krall reported crime statistics are down; 1 homicide on Hilltop and Manor Dr. and suspect taken into custody. He also stated burglaries are down and crime is usually higher in Summer months. He answered questioned about the recent appearance of gang graffiti on Valley View Rd. and Appian Way, recent homicide, a shooting behind Bianco’s Deli, stolen cars being dropped off in El Sobrante, car theft on Hilltop Dr.
A member of the public spoke objected to a roadside memorial in his neighborhood for a person who was a criminal and asked who had jurisdiction to get it removed. Charles Marino volunteered to help on this matter. Further comment ensued about suspected prostitution at the corner of Clark Rd. and San Pablo Dam Rd. Supervisor Gioia mentioned the Board is moving forward with a dangerous animal ordinance with possibly higher fees for certain types of dogs and asked for community comments to Animal Services Dept. A member of public asked if a list of dangerous animals was a matter of public record and the Supervisor answered in the affirmative
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P.3 – Rental Inspection Ordinance: Supervisor Gioia and Carlos Baltodano: This ordinance due to come before Board on 6/26/05. Mr. Baltodano handed out copies of the ordinance to the Council and stated there has been talk for years about a maintenance program for existing housing that will add to the affordable housing stock and prevent demolitions. His presentation included statisitics on area and County housing and particulars of the proposed ordinance which generally is an inspection fee to be paid by owner of $180 every 5 years for single family homes and 20% of multiple family units to be inspected. Supervisor Gioia and Mr. Baltodano fielded questions about the pros and cons of the ordinance and stated there could be a community workshop to express priorities.Supervisor Gioia commented on the recent court ruling to allow the use of Government building meeting rooms to religious groups: he said the Board is appealing this decision to the 9th Circuit Court and explained his opposition to the ruling.
Public discussion ensued on this matter.
Public Comment:
Eleanor Loynd mentioned San Francisco Chronicle article on deteriorating situation at DeAnza HS and asked the El Sobrante MAC (ESMAC) to become involved. Ruby Molinari volunteered to make this an item on next month’s agenda. Marilynne Mellander asked why there had been no Treasury Report for the last 2 months and why Treasury Report was not on the May agenda; also asked for update on Board resolution regarding incoming MAC funds and requested to see the Hope Scott’s treasury records to determine exact name of a donor of funds to ESMAC. Marilynne Mellander also stated her opinion that her right to free speech had been violated in the special ESMAC meeting the prior day when the Council voted not to list her concerns regarding the El Sobrante P & Z (ES P&Z) .
SHORT DISCUSSION:
SD.1: Bylaws changes to Board: Marilynne Mellander moved we table this item: M,S,P.
SD.2: Peng letter to Supervisor Gioia: Marilynne Mellander expressed following concerns about this letter: 1) targets her neighborhood 2) letter written in response for concerns of one neighbor who is not named in the letter and is a member of the El Sobrante P & Z 3) many of the road problems on Sobrante Ave. have already been addressed by County. Ruby Molinari asked that the letter be approved as is and a subcommittee should research the issue. Discussion ensued. Ruby Molinari asked Council for revisions to letter as written: Marilynne Mellander asked that specific allusion to Sobrante Ave. under “roads” and sections 7, 8 and 9 be removed; Charles Marino suggested inserting a phrase to the effect that “a constituent had brought the concerns to the ESMAC” and insertion of “for example” before allusion to Sobrante Ave.; Tom Owens suggested the constituent’s name shouldn’t be in letter and concurred with “for example” insertion; Erica Peng and Ruby Molinari had no comments; Barbara Pendergrass concurred with “for example” insertion. Public comment ensued from two neighbors in Sobrante Ave. area objecting to the letter. Barbara Pendergrass moved we accept letter as amended with insertion of “for example” and “a constituent had brought….”: M,S,P with 1 NAY.
Ruby Molinari asked if the ESMAC should appoint a subcommittee to investigate issues raised in the letter; discussion ensued. Erica Peng moved a “ road”subcommittee be formed headed by Barbara Pendergrass; Ruby Molinari asked it be an ad hoc committee with public participation: M,S,P with 1 NAY.
SD.3: Appointment of other ESMAC subcommittees: Ruby Molinari asked for a subcommittee to be formed to investigate a 501C3 status be set up for the ESMAC through the El Sobrante Chamber as grant administrator so ESMAC could have funds to pursue projects. Discussion ensued. Motion died.
SD.4: Appointment of ESMAC members to El Sobrante Coordinating Council (ESCC): Marilynne Mellander asked purpose of ESCC; Terrance Cheung explained it had been reformed to give El Sobrante stakeholders and organizations a forum to solve community problems and next meeting to be held June 14 in this meeting room. Barbara Pendergrass and Tom Owens were appointed to represent the ESMAC. Marilynne Mellander asked for report of activities and decisions of the ESCC June 14 meeting.
SD.5: County Safety Ordinance 6/22/05 meeting: Ruby Molinari volunteered to attend this meeting
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
D.1: El Sobrante General Plan draft report: Erica Peng stated it wasn’t clear when Town Hall meeting on proposed El Sobrante general Plan would be held because of ongoing traffic analysis work, but thought public should remain involved and asked people to sign up for the Town Hall meeting notices. Ruby Molinari asked her what role of ESMAC should be: she replied the ESMAC should advocate for changes community wanted be incorporated in the General Plan changes. Charles Marino stated his opinion that there was no further opportunity for public input as the charrette process had served this purpose. Ruby Molinari said the ESMAC would be hosting the Town Hall meeting. A member of the public said the General Plan changes hadn’t been presented to the Board yet so still chance for public comment. Wendi Gosliner said charrette process had left some questions so there should still be public input. Marilynne Mellander presented a summary of the notes she took in her talk with Patrick Roche on 3/16/05 (attachment D.1a on agenda) stating that all blocks in the proposed Redevelopment Area had been given specific zoning restrictions. Terrance Cheung stated that words in parentheses in bullet point #6 of Mellander notes were in error and should be changed. (NOTE: change to be made not clear to Secretary.)
Consent Items:
10.2: Marilynne Mellander asked Eleanor Loynd what ES P&Z’s position was on Afshar property; Ms. Loynd replied they were awaiting an EIR.
10.3: Marilynne Mellander asked Eleanor Loynd when she received County information packets on area projects; also what happened to projects when no one appears before the ES P&Z. Ms.Loynd said the ES P&Z notifies County or City of Richmond planning that they take no position and the project is stalled at that point until an appearance is made.
10.4, 10.5, 10.6: Eleanor Loynd stated both projects under review by the ES P&Z and item 10.6 was request for 2 parcels and the ES P&Z was looking at how “tight it was up there” in proposed development.
10.7: Eleanor Loynd stated this project had been approved by the County. Marilynne Mellander asked if the ES P&Z could give final disposition on El Sobrante projects under review by the ES P&Z. Eleanor Loynd suggested she come to the ES P&Z meetings for this information.
Standing Committee Reports:
11.1 – Dist. 1 Report: Terrance Cheung said he nothing to add to Supervisor Gioia’s report. Barbara Pendergrass asked Terrance Cheung about a letter sent to Sup. Gioia’s office regarding dumpster availability to El Sobrante; discussion ensued.
11.2: Katy Foulkes not present11.3: ES P&Z: Eleanor Loynd gave presentation on projects now under way
11.4: Traffic/Transportation: Because of late hour, Marilynne Mellander gave no report but stated there were items of interest to El Sobrante discussed in the May WCCTAC meeting.Standing Committee Reports (cont’d.):
11.5: ES Chamber of Commerce: (?) Notes not clear, tape of meeting not clear
11.6: Grants/Fund Raising: Charles Marino had nothing to report
11.7: ESMAC/Sheriff’s Annex: Ruby had nothing to report
11.8: Fire District: No report in interest of time, late hour
11.9: CSA R9: Hope Scott absent so no report
11.10, 11.11, 11.12: No report in interest of time, late hour
11.12: MAC Outreach: Tom Owens gave a short report.
11.13: ES Cleanup: Barbara Pendergrass gave short report.
At 9:45PM Marilynne Mellander moved we adjourn; motion died.
11.14: I Love El Sobrante – Ruby Molinari asked Tom Owens to begin work on this project.
12.1: No record of report on Cleanup Committee Meeting report – meeting held just prior to this meeting
13.1: No record of any new business reported
Meeting adjourned at approximately 9:55PM.
Respectfully submitted, Marilynne L. Mellander
