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
Chair: Barbara Pendergrass, Vice-chair: Erica Peng, Secretary: Tom Owens, Treasurer: Hope Scott,
Members: Marilynne Mellander, Wendi Gosliner, Charles Marino, 1st Alt. Susan Swift
DRAFT: Minutes Mar 8, 2006
NOTE: El Sobrante Municipal Advisory Council" abbreviated as "ESMAC"
El Sobrante Valley Planning & Zoning Advisory Committee abbreviated as"P&Z"
Moved, Seconded, Passed abbreviated as M(aa),S,P-x,y,z
Moved, Seconded, Failed abbreviated as M(aa),S,F-x,y,z
where aa are initials of councilman making motion, x is votes for, y is votes against and z is abstentions
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Meeting called to order at 7:03pm. Present were Barbara Pendergrass, Erica Peng, Tom Owens, Marilynne Mellander, Wendi Gosliner, Charles Marino, Susan Swift. Pledge lead by Charles Marino.
1. Approval of Minutes: 2-8-2006 minutes as proved as read.
2. Treasure's Report: Barbara Pendergrass reported $276.20 was in Treasury; $27.00 spent for business cards.
3. Introduction of Speakers/Guests/Topics:
Supervisor John Gioia, Richmond City Councilman Tony Thurmond, Consolidated Fire Chief Keith Richter, Richmond City Fire Chief Michael Banks addressing problems confronting first response agreement between Richmond City and Unincorporated Contra Costa County.
Sgt. Michael Brown and Cpl. Mike Runaway from CCC Sheriffs department to give monthly crime report.
Terrance Cheung to give Supervisor's report.
Michelle Blackwell from EBMUD to give projects update.
7:20 pm Hope Scott arrived.
4. Public Comment
Special directions for public questions on fire chief’s presentations.
Question regarding general list of service level agreements and speed of repairs and specifically when pedestrian crosswalk activator at Appian be repaired. Marilynne volunteered to call public works regarding this.
PRESENTATIONS
P.1 Sgt. Brown read list of monthly crimes report, noting recent increase in burglary and vandalism. Will send copy of report to Barbara. No record of complainant re. cars on La Colima. Homeless person under bridge at Appian and San Pablo Dam Rd was request to move on, sheriffs' office has received no further complaints.
P.2 Terrance Cheung's report was moved to later and never given.
P.3 Michelle Blackwell described tour of San Pablo Dam site by 4 EBMUD board members in preparation for draft EIR for San Pablo Dam Retrofit. WTTIP project public scoping meeting was held and draft EIR is in progress as well. Presented letter re. policy regarding improvements of water distribution infrastructure. She also presented a letter sent in response to email questions by Rick Staska regarding fire hydrants, water distribution design and pressure testing.
P.4 Presentation by Supervisor John Gioia introducing overview of fire districts and how they work and "auto" response. 2002 Richmond withdrew from auto-aid. Richmond reported as responding more often than county in other's jurisdictions. County has paramedic in each crew while Richmond has EMT. Introduced newest proposal attempting to even the number of responses. Top priority is getting some form of auto response back into effect.
Chief Richter gave some historical perspective. Set overview where county has 2 stations, versus 7 or 8 in Richmond that could come into action in county jurisdiction. Described discussions to overcome obstacles and frustration with lack of Richmond's written responses. Described attempts to find reimbursement procedure for relative excess of service provided by Richmond city far apart ($178K [per hr] vs. $1.3M [% budget by % calls]). Other problem related to Dispatch (1. capacity, fire & police dispatch combined or separate and 2.county vs. city). Newest proposal calls for limiting number of calls.
Chief Banks gave Richmond's viewpoint giving historical overview back to 1980s. Consolidation of fire districts and budget problems (circa 1995) changed response ability and dispatch capabilities. Change of communication frequencies led to increase of danger for firemen. Both of which led to suspension of auto-aid. City fireman (at least at fire chief level) desire return of auto-aid.
Councilman Tony Thurmond, also a member of the community, here to listen to concerns. Appreciates the problems and assured that the concerns for people and property are higher priority that dollars and cents. Richmond city manager is also on board, now the city council is beginning to get on board.
question/answer:
Main sticking point? Dual radio frequencies increase safety risk of firefighters. Disparity in services supplied. Ultimate goal is return of auto-aid at some level. Police/Fire Dispatch vs. Fire only dispatch.
Decision making process and timeline? Discussions ongoing City manager, County supervisor, City Council - need to include firefighters and their concerns. Financial stability is a concern for the city of Richmond. Supervisor Gioia prefers immediate resumption.
Concerns about “special fire abatement districts” were introduced. This was limited to east Contra Costa County. Consolidated district financing vs. general fund financing was discussed.
Who has authority to pen agreement? Richmond city manager, Board of Supervisors, and Richmond City Council (5 votes) are needed for agreement. Tony Thurmond noted that with large turn over of management this problem has just come back on the city council's radar. Supervisor Gioia brought up transfer of revenue from area to Richmond and they take over local stations but differences in staffing (paramedic vs. EMT) and that portion of Pinole's revenues taken by renovation district making the revenue not sufficient to cover running of both stations.
With the coming end of the rainy season a natural deadline of June/July is quickly approaching.
Any documented cases of loss of property or life in Richmond due to resources being diverted to unincorporated area? No known documentation.
What is the monetary differential between county and city preventing agreement? Newest proposal is cost neutral. At one time it was $173K vs. $1.3M.
Where are Richmond's proposals for a solution? No direct response.
Operational cost per fire station is ≈$2M, what does that include? It breaks down to roughly $180K for salary and $20K for maintenance.
CONSENT ITEMS
C1.1 Pulled for discussion. Letter to Patty Cookson, other than one in packet, regarding problems on Santa Rita Rd was introduced. Discussion regarding phrasing ensued. Problems other than ones in letter where brought up (more properties, drugs and intimidation). Terrance Cheung volunteered to organize complaints and county response. Motion: Correct language in introduced letter and then sent the letter. M(MM),S,P-7,0,0
SHORT DISCUSSION ITEMS
SD.1 Consensus to meet 1 hr earlier next meeting to review county council's recommendations regarding bylaw changes. Wendi Gosliner volunteered to draft some remarks for review by the council so she could represent us at a school meeting in the near future. Erica Peng will follow up with Supervisor Gioia's office regarding joint R9-ESMAC meeting date. Potential exists for crime prevention "task force" with Lt Dobbs, Supervisor Gioia's office and several community watch officers. There will me a town hall meeting concerning crime prevention sponsored by the chamber of commerce and the El Sobrante boys and girls club on May 17th (not April 12th as reported).
SD.2 Consensus 1) no podium, 2) speaker cards tabled for bylaw meeting, 3) limiting public comment not advisable, 4) better organization of meetings makes this unnecessary, 5) already in operation, 6) county council advises this is not possible, 7) again limited by county council, 8) informational only and 9) table by chair
SD.3 Motion: To authorize the purchase of a gavel for use by ESMAC chair. M(TO),S,P-6,1,0
SD.4 Chair requested ESMAC members 700 reports and any brown act self certifications be handed in.
SD.5 Final EIR on Afshar’s Project SD018533 hearing 1pm March 21st by Board of Supervisors in Martinez.
SD.6 Motion: Authorize expenditure for stroll booth up to $200. M(MM),S,P-6,1,0.
Motion: ESMAC participate in El Sobrante Stroll parade and carry the ESMAC banner. M(WG),S,P-6,1,0
SD.7 Motion: ESMAC write a letter in support of Friends of Garrity Creek's request that EBMUD consider purchase and dedication of head waters of Garrity Creek as mitigation for damage to be done during San Pablo Dam retrofit. M(TO),S,F-3,4,0. Request made that Barbara Pendergrass present letter for ESMAC consideration at next meeting.
DISCUSSION ITEMS
DI.1 No action taken.
Motion: To adjourn. M(CM),S,F-2,5,1
9:30 pm Charles Marino left meeting.
D1.2 Consensus: Cingular Wireless return to talk to us regarding wireless facilities.
DI.3 Consensus that land use sub committee hears from County Community Development prior to a presentation to full ESMAC to bring both groups up to speed as far as our issues and concerns.
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS
WCCTAC is hosting a California Redevelopment Association Conference April 5th and 6th in Pleasanton.
R9 has given the go ahead for the reading garden.
OLD BUSINESS:
Update on meeting with Rick Staska. Conversation with Rick left with two items of concern that require further checking. 1) Development and maintenance of proper fire breaks between the park district and El Sobrante and 2) Maintenance of power line easements.
Meeting with Supervisor Gioia and County Council was written up well but will be continued to next meeting as old business.
NEW BUSINESS:
Request was made by Susan to ask Terrance for a map of the unincorporated area of El Sobrante
Next Speakers: Charles Ramsey, Wally Gordon and Phil Savage.
Meeting adjourned at 9:50PM
