El Sobrante Municipal Advisory Council
3769B San Pablo Dam Road, ES 94803 - Meetings 2nd Wednesday of each Month (7:00pm)
El Sobrante Library 4191 Appian Way, El Sobrante

DRAFT: Minutes Aug 10, 2005

Ruby Molinari, Chair, Barbara Pendergrass, Vice Chair, Marilynne Mellander,
Sec, Hope Scott, Treas, Members: Erica Peng, Wendi Gosliner, Tom Mason,
Charles Marino 1st Alternate, Tom Owens 2nd Alternate

NOTE: “El Sobrante Municipal Advisory Council” abbreviated as “ESMAC” throughout minutes; El Sobrante Valley Planning and Zoning as “P & Z”; “Chamber” means El Sobrante Chamber of Commerce

Meeting called to order at 7:00PM. Present were Ruby Molinari, Barbara Pendergrass, Hope Scott, Marilynne Mellander, Tom Mason, Wendi Gosliner, Erica Peng and 2nd alternate Tom Owens. Charles Marino was not present.

Ruby Molinari asked Tom Owens to lead the Pledge.

Ruby Molinari stated the announced program on the proposed El Sobrante redevelopment plan draft EIR would not be held as the general plan would be released early next month and the ESMAC could discuss it at that time providing that it is released.

Minutes : The following corrections made: Tom Owens asked that pg. 4 typo be removed; Wendi Gosliner moved acceptance of corrected minutes: M,S,A.

Treasurer’s Report:
Hope Scott reported $451.95 was in Treasury and no expenditures.

Public Comment:
Tom Owens asked for a substitute to go for to the next ISO safety committee meeting as he would be out of town. Marilynne Mellander asked why the Canyon Oaks II was relegated to an information item as it was currently under consideration by the P & Z committee. Ruby Molinari stated the “grant application” to ? had to be in by 7/29/05 and she had sent her own personal letter to ?.

Presentations:
P.1: Sgt. Krall stated crime was pretty much “status quo”. The San Pablo Dam Rd. gang related murder suspect had been arrested; Santa Rita Rd. shooting suspects in custody. He reported 101 total crime reportable incidents in El Sobrante in July including runaway juveniles, recovered vehicles, etc. Member of public asked about Dam Rd. gang murder; he replied it was a “gang to gang” incident. Wendi Gosliner stated the neighborhood watch groups were feeling there was a growing crime in the area; he advised contact Lt. Dobbs at 510-262-4203. Martin Gottlieb stated he had been lobbying newspaper not to report human harming human events. Marilynne Mellander asked about gang problems and continuing graffiti. Tom Mason reported kids selling drugs at Starbucks and USA gas; Sgt. Krall advised area was being patrolled. Eleanor Loynd reported the Sheriff may patrol DeAnza HS. Barbara Pendergrass reported graffiti at corner of LaPaloma and Hilltop on P.1: (contd.) private property. Don Delcollo stated he would remove this graffiti. Sgt. Krall left a crime report.
P.2: Eleanor Loynd gave a presentation on the El Sobrante Valley Planning and zoning Advisory Committee. The P & Z has been in existence since 1975; P & Z bylaws were adopted 9/84 and amended 5/99. In the 1950’s Richmond wanted to expand from San Pablo Bay to the Dam. The R9 was also formed with help of Supervisor Nancy Fahden. She told of purchase in 1980’s by Steve Young and Bill Oldenburg of World Football League of 360 acres along San Pablo ridgeline; land later sold to Utah S & L but nothing has been built yet. Above the 400 ft. level developers have to put in their own water supply; EBMUD won’t supply water due to poor soil stability. Other miscellanous matters were reported; Bonnie Scott resigned, no longer have Chamber members. WCCUSD board member Dave Brown stated the ESMAC should operate more like a city council and the P & Z should be a subcommittee of the ESMAC. Eleanor Loynd reported the P & Z receives $200/yr from the Chamber and $200/yr. from the May Valley group. She expressed the opinion that meeting once a month wouldn’t cover all the projects under review. Barbara Pendergrass was of the opinion that the ESMAC should have been consulted regarding sinkholes at 5316 Sobrante Ave. Wendi Gosliner was frustrated that we didn’t talk about the draft EIR as discussed in July meeting. She further stated that she and Erica Peng had explored general plans in other communities and it wasn’t clear if the revision of the El Sobrante general plan would follow what people want. She passed out copies of a “vision” statement for El Sobrante that she and Erica Peng had written.

Short Discussion Items:
SD.1 - Marilynne Mellander asked Wendi Gosliner had obtained the Board resolution to put in the ESMAC Bylaws – she had not.
SD.2 - Unknown person reported the County engineer had condemned the pipeline currently at 5316 Sobrante Ave. The residents are going to put in a smaller pipeline and the County refunded their permit fee. The County also condemned the drain that was 15 ft. underground. Eleanor Loynd stated the County should update their drainage records. The County allowed Hopkins Ct. to tie into the drainage pipe emanating from 5316 Sobrante Ave. Wendi Gosliner wanted a letter to ask the County if it was possible to set up special taxing districts to pay for drainage problems in the future. Marilynne Mellander stated that she was opposed to setting up special taxing districts because the drainage problem had already cost the residents a $100,000 and they had decided to sell their home and move out, as a consequence. Barbara Pendergrass stated the residents had only borrowed $100,000 and had not paid out that much to the County. Ruby Molinari stated we would write a letter to the County; Marilynne Mellander asked what would be in the letter. Ruby replied the letter would discuss the problem of drainage from uphill properties, a County mechanism to work with developers to prevent future problems. Ruby stated we would move on to SD.3 - Wendi Gosliner advised a motion should be made for the ESMAC to write the letter incorporating the suggestions. Marilynne Mellander asked that the draft letter be brought to the next meeting for further comment as this was an important neighborhood issue; Ruby Molinari agreed to do so; M,S,A.
SD.3 – Ruby Molinari asked if the other members of the ESMAC were still in favor of meeting with Sup. Gioia to get an appointment with the West County Unified School District regarding ongoing problems at DeAnza; the members replied they were. She stressed it was a serious problem and we should continue to work on it. Marilynne Mellander asked when the ESMAC had decided to meet with Sup. Gioia. Ruby Molinari stated it had been decided at the last meeting. She further stated that there had been discussion about using the County Sheriff’s office to patrol DeAnza and thought the ESMAC should be informed as to how the Sheriff’s office planned to patrol as they were not responsive at present. Mike Zeelen stated the Richmond PD should be called as DeAnza was located in the City of Richmond. Marilynne Mellander asked if there had been any meetings so far with Sup. Gioia on this issue; Ruby Molinari said there had been no meetings scheduled or held up to this point. Ruby Molinari also stated Terrance Cheung would notify her about a meeting. Eleanor Loynd advised there would be a Town Hall meeting comprised of residents, teachers, and Sup. Gioia to develop “working ideas” for campus security using, surveillance cameras, et al; meeting would be set up after school started. Wendi Gosliner advised that if the whole ESMAC met with Sup. Gioia the meeting had to be publicly noticed. Tom Mason said he had offered Sup. Gioia use of the Boy’s Club and expressed his opinion that if parents and churches were not involved the talk would be meaningless. Eleanor Loynd said three ESMAC members should meet with Terrance Cheung as well as the Town Hall meeting she would be setting up.
Erica Peng moved we contact Terrance Cheung to set up a subcommittee meeting of three ESMAC members with Sup. Gioia. Barbara Pendergrass, Marilynne Mellander and Tom Mason volunteered. Tom Mason volunteered to drop out; M,S,A.
Marilynne Mellander asked for details about the meeting; Ruby stated the meeting would be to determine the role of the ESMAC in the upcoming Town Hall meeting to be held by groups headed by Eleanor Loynd and make suggestions to Terrance Cheung. Gene Harvey asked if the ESMAC could meet with the West County Unified School District. Ruby Molinari stated that WCCUSD needed to know that the various community organizations were very concerned about the situation at De Anza; M,S,A.
SD.4 – Ruby Molinari asked if the ESMAC wanted the addition of the El Sobrante Valley Community Forum standing committee to the agenda.
Marilynne Mellander so moved; M,S,A.
Wendi Gosliner moved this should be a “community report” as it was not an ESMAC standing committee; M,S,A.

Discussion Items:
Ruby Molinari advised the Brown Act states action may be taken on any agenda item. Barbara Pendergrass produced a letter from County Counsel dated 7/10/02 that clarified this information. Wendi Gosliner stated the idea of action items on an agenda was so that members could be prepared to make a planned course of action. Ruby Molinari advised that the request that the ESMAC agenda be like the Board’s agenda was not possible. Public member stated his opinion that he needed to know when issues important to him were being heard by the ESMAC; his email address was taken. Marilynne Mellander stated her opinion that Erica Peng’s motion addressing the agenda format at last month’s meeting under agenda item SD.3 was not legal. Erica Peng stated she thought this month’s agenda followed that format.
Marilynne Mellander moved we rescind that motion, motion died.
Wendi Gosliner amended that motion to remove the word “only” from “Information only” and “no action” from “discussion, no action”; M,S,A with 1 Nay.

Standing Committee Reports
11.1 – Dist. 1 Staff Report – Terrance Cheung not present: no report
11.2 – EBMUD Report – Katy Foulkes not present: no report
11.3 – ES P & Z – No report because of Eleanor Loynd’s presentation
11.4 - Traffic/Transportation – Marilynne Mellander stated no meeting last month, but at last meeting several traffic studies in this area were taking place.
11.5 – ES Chamber of Commerce – Tom Mason announced a triathlon to be held on
Aug. 28 with BBQ afterwards for $5; he also announced the Stroll would be held between Rancho Liquors and El Portal Dr. on Sept. 18.
Matthew Luu of La Colina Rd. stated his opinion that authority should be under the purview of the ESMAC as it is an elected body.
11.6 – Grants/Fund Raising – No report as Charles Marino not present
11.7 – Sheriff’s Annex - Ruby reported there was a new female volunteer at the Sheriff’s annex.
11.8 – Fire District – Marilynne Mellander reported that Don Delcollo and Michael Eakin were appointed fire commissioners. Don Delcollo reported there were numerous staffing vacancies. The mutual aid agreement with Richmond was suspended 4 years ago and Don’s opinion was that they were “swapping lives for money.” Further discussion on this subject ensued. Gene Harvey made public comment regarding radio communication difficulties. He reported no vegetation fires in July; a total of 61 calls with an average response time of 7 mins., 13 secs. Wendi Gosliner asked if public should come to meetings to express views on mutual aid. Don Delcollo stated meetings were held the 2nd Monday at 7PM in Pleasant Hill. Marilynne Mellander asked if Eleanor Loynd had lobbied to get the mutual aid pact reinstated. Barbara Pendergrass suggested we lobby the City of Richmond for this problem. Mike Zeelen suggested the problem in Richmond originated with Darryl Reese, a union power broker. A public member suggested that she would enlist support from May Valley association to help with this problem. Ruby Molinari suggested the ESMAC send letters to all the neighborhood associations to enlist their help. The President of the local plumber’s union, Mr. Alvarez and Ms. Hanlon (?), will work with the union to resolve the problem.
11.9 – CSA R9 – Hope Scott reported the Rotary Club and Jimmy’s Landscaping would help with the children’s reading garden. Tom Mason reported the Rotary Club built 2 BBQ pits with a pavilion in LeMoine park.
11.10 - WCAPWG – Ruby Molinari reported they are writing a letter to Andy Gomez to come to their meetings; he is supposed to come every 2 months but has not done so. They have a set of goals they are working toward. Green curbs will be painted soon in front of problem areas in N. Richmond liquor stores. Rancho Liquor was cited was cited for selling tobacco to a minor and hearing will be upcoming as they appealed it. Marilynne Mellander asked if this was the result of a “sting”operation; Ruby Molinari said it wasn’t. She explained “Impact” team and the use of zoning (?) personnel to assess sale of drug paraphernalia. Mike Zeelen said the use of “sting” operations was working.
11.11 - Library – Barbara Pendergrass had nothing to report
11.12 - MAC Outreach – Tom Owens had nothing to report. Marilynne Mellander asked why the new Library sign couldn’t be used a few days in advance of the monthly ESMAC meetings. Ruby Molinari stated she had spoken to the library on this matter and she had to talk to Margaret in Walnut Creek head office to get this OK’ed. Marilynne Mellander stated she needed 2 weeks lead time for newspaper notice for ESMAC meetings. Ruby Molinari stated she couldn’t always do that. Mike Zeelen reminded us he volunteered to print up fliers to advertise the ESMAC. Tom Owens stated the flyers died with Terrance Cheung’s computer crash. Wendi Gosliner volunteered to make up a flyer. Wendi Gosliner wanted to know if we could add the word “town” to state on flyer “El Sobrante Municipal Advisory ‘Town’ Council”. Ruby Molinari stated her concern that she does lots of work preparing the agenda, etc and wants to see people come out to our meetings. Marilynne Mellander reminded her that many people don’t come because they think the ESMAC and the P & Z are the same people and the real power lies with the P & Z.
11.13 - ES Cleanup – Barbara Pendergrass said there was a writeup on the ES Chamber newsletter asking for donations for additional dumpsters; at present we only have on container for the cleanup and we need 3 more, but have no money. Until we know how much money we’ll have, each dumpster costs $265. The committee will make a decision next month if they have enough money to proceed. The donation money is being received through the ES Chamber in a separate “dumpster” account. She said SPAWNERS is donating water and Tom Mason is donating the use of the Boy’s Club. If a cleanup is held, it will be on Oct. 8. Ruby Molinari produced a letter she was sending to various organizations asking for donations. Discussion ensued on the need for volunteers. A member of the public who owns a screen printing business in unincorporated San Pablo volunteered to make wearing apparel to advertise the event. Tom Owens moved we send Ruby Molinari’s letter to Rotary Club, Mechanic’s Bank and other businesses; Barbara Pendergrass asked that a sentence be added to the letter stating that sponsors could get their name on a tee shirt. Ruby Molinari stated there was $1000 slated for the Library sign that was never used and still sitting in a Chamber bank account; she would consult Sup. Gioia to see if it could be used for the cleanup. Donation amounts were then discussed.
11.14 - El Sobrante Stroll – Ruby Molinari asked Tom Mason to get a check for $40 from Hope Scott for the ESMAC booth fee. Tom Owens asked for items for ESMAC booth: he has a canopy but needs a table. Mike Zeelen will print the flyers. Ruby Molinari asked for ESMAC volunteers and a canvas sign. Wendi Gosliner moved the ESMAC approve up to $150 for a canvas sign; M,S,P. ? would check to see if “your town council” could be added to the canvas sign.
11.15 - Boys and Girls Club – Tom Mason reported they had installed new gates to prevent garbage dumping, etc. They have offered the property behind the club to the County but have heard nothing. They are getting 30 laptop computers for community use in partnership with the Salvation Army. Tom Mason stated he had offered the use of the property behind the club to Jim Kennedy of County Redevelopment for a park that the club would also maintain. He reported they can’t build a bridge across the creek.

Meeting adjourned at 10:10PM

Respectfully submitted, Marilynne L. Mellander, Secretary, ESMAC