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 January 11, 2006

Chair: Barbara Pendergrass, Vice-chair : Erica Peng, , Secretary: Tom Owens,
Treasurer: Scott Hope, Members: Marilynne Mellander, Wendi Gosliner, Charles Marino,
1st Alt. Susan Swift

Note: El Sobrante Municipal Advisory Council abbreviated as ESMAC,
El Sobrante Valley Panning & Zoning Advisory Committee abbreviated as ESVPZAC
Moved, Seconded, Passed abbreviated M,S,P – x,y,z
Moved, Seconded, Failed abbreviated M,S,F – x,y,z
where x= votes for, y votes against and z abstentions

Mason, Wendi Gosliner, Erica Peng, Charles Marino and Tom Owens. Barbara Pendergrass asked public attendee, Elizabeth O’Shea, to lead the Pledge.

Minutes : Corrections made to December minutes; Barbara Pendergrass announced minutes passed as corrected.

Treasurer’s Report: Hope Scott not present; Barbara Pendergrass announced she was absent due to the death of her husband; balance in Treasury $303.20; no expenditures.

Barbara Pendergrass announced email sent from Michelle Blackwell stating neither she nor Katy Foulkes would be able to attend to give EBMUD report

Public Comment: Marilynne Mellander announced talk on eminent domain at Independent Institute in Oakland on Jan. 31.

Consent Items:
C.1 – Approved with no comment.
C.2 – Pulled by Wendi Gosliner for discussion

PRESENTATIONS:
P.1: Lt. Gordon gave area crime report: “grim for what we’re accustomed to”; concerned with increase in stolen vehicle recoveries, felonious robberies down after slight spike during the year, auto burgs – 41 in all unincorporated areas with ES accounting for 13; 14 vandalism reports which is dramatic increase likely due to kids out of school; reported man in stolen car became a murder victim –same man was responsible for many car thefts; see crime maps online at www.cocosheriffs.org; Tom Owens reported pipe bombs exploded at Juan Crespi around New Years’; Marilynne Mellander reported large camper shell filled with trash on Appian Way; he reminded us that public works dept. takes care of trash not in right of way; Wendi Gosliner asked for annual summary of crime, he replied annual PowerPoint program will be available soon; Lt. Gordon stated his opinion that population of ES showed need of 2 officers; Marilynne Mellander asked about citizen’s questionnaire re: Sheriff’s Dept. staffing such as one sent to Discovery Bay citizens

Susan Swift arrived at approximately 7:30PM

P.2 - Terrance Cheung announced Susan Swift and Michael Baefsky as 1st and 2nd ESMAC alternates, respectively. He announced Sup. Gioia is new Board chair and left copy of Sup. Gioia’s speech. Sup. Gioia wants meeting between ESMAC & R9 committee to discuss park issues; he’ll P.2 (contd.) - call public works regarding camper shell on Appian Way; he reported their printer can scan entire ESMAC agenda packet and create pdf file; questions about emailing to ESMAC members ensued
P.3 – No EBMUD report as Michelle Blackwell not present

SHORT DISCUSSION ITEMS:
SD.1, Election of 2006 officers:
Tom Owens nominated Barbara Pendergrass for chairman; M,S,P with 1 nay, 1 abstain.
Wendi Gosliner nominated Erica Peng for vice chairman; M,S,P with 1 nay.
Erica Peng nominated Tom Owens for Secretary; M,S,P with 1 nay.
Wendi Gosliner nominated Hope Scott for Treasurer; Barbara Pendergrass stated Hope would serve if nominated; M,S,P with 2 nays.
SD.2, Brown Act training: Terrance Cheung informed ESMAC the form was in packet; it is self certifying by watching videos; ESMAC members should sign certification sheets and give to Terrance. No requirement for annual recertification.
SD.3 - County Clerk Forms 460 and 470; Terrance advised we had to file 470 form even if we had no election committee and should file with Board Clerk.
SD.4 –Tom Owens moved we reimburse Barbara Pendergrass expenditure of $27.05 for blank business card stock; M,S,P.
SD.5 – Verification of ESMAC member’s names, phone numbers, fax numbers and E-mail addresses; Barbara Pendergrass passed around sheet. Terrance Cheung will give out a roster next month.
SD.6 – ESMAC members ranked their top priorities for 2006 and gave lists to Barbara Pendergrass. Some items combined; Barbara Pendergrass and Erica Peng will meet with County Counsel to discuss meeting structure. Barbara Pendergrass asked for input via email, et al on agenda format. Questions about demographics priority ensued. In response to question by Susan Swift, Barbara Pendergrass stated the Land Use Subcommittee would bring road problems to full ESMAC.
SD.7 – Letter received by the P&Z from Fire Chief Richter; discussion regarding no agreement on closest responder between Richmond Fire Dept. (RFD) and County Fire District (CFD); Marilynne Mellander moved we ask Chief Richter to speak to ESMAC; motion died, no second. Terrance Cheung stated the ESMAC can do nothing until RFD agrees to restore auto-aid with CFD unless we pay for RFD services. Wendi Gosliner moved we invite Tony Thurmond to next ESMAC meeting; M,S,P w/1Nay
SD.8 – Special R9/ESMAC meeting: to determine if Richmond funds can be obtained for use in maintaining an El Sobrante park. Supervisor Gioia is interested in attending such a joint meeting; a date for this meeting will be determined. Four ESMAC members are required to hold meeting.
SD.9 – Revised Notice of Preparation for EBMUD projects received 1/3/06: Barbara Pendergrass asked for volunteer to form a committee to review document and draft response which must be received by 1/18/06; no volunteers to write letter with ESMAC input. Wendi Gosliner expressed concerns about danger to ES citizens living within flood zone; Barbara Pendergrass volunteered to have this on next month’s agenda.

DISCUSSION ITEMS:
DI.1 – Contra Costa Times’ article; Marilynne Mellander expressed concerns about resident sheriff’s deputy and wanted survey on level of service sent to ES residents.
DI.2 – AC Transit grant request for Castro and Dam Rd. bus stop denied; discussion ensued regarding receipt of information such as this by all ESMAC members, not only Chairman, so individual ESMAC members could make timely input on such items.

INFORMATION ITEMS:
10.4 – Wadsworth glass “redevelopment funds” rumor item explained by Barbara Pendergrass.
10.8 – P&Z information will be available next month.

STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS
11.3 – P & Z Report: Eleanor Loynd gave report. She talked to Darwin Myers of County and gave update on Afshar project off Hilltop Dr.: traffic study completed and goes back to ? for printing of draft EIR, another a month thee will be another public hearing. P&Z had decided to advise against Appian Way car repair shop; Charles Marino asked for file on this project and discussion ensued about P&Z’s role in this project.
11.4 – ES Chamber of Commerce: No report; installation of new members on 1/28/06.
11.5 – Sheriff’s annex: no report
11.6 – Fire District: no meeting so no report – next meeting 2nd Monday of February.
11.7 – CSA R9: Susan Swift reported reading garden meeting the following Thursday.
11.8 - WCAPWG: no report
11.9 - Library: Barbara Pendergrass reported on $2/bag book sale
11.10 - 11.15 – no reports

SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
12.1 – ESMAC Land Use – Erica Peng reported meeting held last night; minutes will be in next month’s agenda. Next meeting is March 7 at 7PM subject to change. They discussed that they will meet the 4th Tuesday of the month.
12.2 - ESMAC Grants/Fundraising – historical data from Ruby Molinari was discussed.
12.3 – Traffic/Transportation – Marilynne Mellander gave report.
12.4 – Website and Outreach – Tom Owens asked about legalities of funding agencies donating to ESMAC for web hosting costs. The funding agency is El Sobrante Valley Community Foundation (established for the public use of El Sobrante valley) and has pledged $200 to ESMAC for this use. Terrance Cheung stated no need to seek County Counsel’s OK to accept funds. Susan Swift clarified that posting of R9 meeting information on website would be OK. Terrance Cheung reported on recent Board resolution regarding County MAC Treasury funds that is being looked over by County Administrator’s office and will have training provision; he agreed to bring a copy of the Board order next month.

OLD BUSINESS: nothing to report

NEW BUSINESS
13.1 – Barbara Pendergrass said scanning of packet agenda to pdf file had been discussed.

PUBLIC COMMENT
Susan Swift reported that Richmond General Plan revision meeting will be held the next Saturday. Eleanor Loynd reported she will be on a citizen’s advisory commmitte on Richmond general plan.

AGENDA /SPEAKERS FOR NEXT MONTH: No suggestions this time.

Meeting adjourned at 9:20PM

Respectfully Submitted, Marilynne L. Mellander - Secretary, ESMAC

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