NOTE:
El Sobrante Municipal Advisory Council abbreviated as “ESMAC”
El Sobrante Valley Planning& Zoning is “P & Z”
Board of Supervisors abbreviated as “Board”
El Sobrante as “ES”

Pledge led by Wendi Gosliner
Meeting called to order 7:00 pm.
Note: Charles Marino, Erica Peng

Minutes for August 29, 2006:
Corrections:
Public Comment: “Commend: should read “Comment”, “Personal property rights” should read Private property rights” and “county development meetings” should read “county planning and development commission
SDI.9: “A statement for private property rights and a free market control of business types was made and indorsed by the audience present.” should read “A statement for private property rights and a free market control of business types was made and endorsed by some of the audience present.”
SDI.2 “(a quiet neighborhood with an apple orchard that would be re-zone commercial or mix use)” should read  “(a quiet neighborhood with an apple orchard that would be re-zoned commercial or mix use)”
Motion to approve Minutes for August 29, 2006 as corrected– M(MM),S,P – 5,0,0

Minutes for September 13, 2006:
Corrections:
Public Comment: “It was pointed out that Marilynne Mellander violated the ESMAC bylaws as well as presented incorrect information in her letter to the editor on Sept. 2nd to which she responded I’ll do it again because I can and we can’t stop her.” should read “Tom Owens pointed out that Marilynne Mellander violated the ESMAC bylaws as well as presented incorrect information in her letter to the editor on Sept. 2nd to which she denied the allegation and that it was up to County Counsel to make that decision and then responded I’ll do it again because I can and we can’t stop her.”
Motion to strike “and then responded I’ll do it again because I can and we can’t stop her.” M(MM),S,F-3,1,1
SDI.1: Add to desirable businesses “a variety of restaurants, family recreational (adult and children), ‘mom and pop’ businesses, nurseries, thrift shops, parking. Desire a restaurant to fill vacated ‘Bradley Video’. Add traffic calming measures to San Pablo Dam Road.
Add to undesirable businesses “thrift shops, adult porn shops, tattoo parlors, and auto related businesses”
DI.2: “Because of the strange boundaries between areas create by this process were not manageable the rules where changes so that it couldn’t happen in the future but the damage to El Sobrante was done.” should read “Because the strange boundaries between incorporated/unincorporated areas created by this process were not manageable the LAFCO rules (guidelines) for incorporation were changed so that this type of boundary couldn’t be created in the future but the damage to El Sobrante had already been done.”
DI.3: “Marilynne Mellander complained that the Sikh parade organizers didn’t notify the sheriffs department. This turned out to be wrong, it was just that the officers scheduled to supervise the parade just come to work that day. Barbara Pendergrass stated that it was well organized and that they did a good job cleaning up after the parade. It was her opinion that everything was well run. Marilynne Mellander stated that she had a totally different experience. She complained about noise, how the president of the Chamber of Commerce talked about her pastor in the press and how the Sikhs were going to take over this area. She was also concerned about the swords that they carried and wondered how they could get away with that.” should read “Marilynne Mellander reported, after a conversation with a deputy, that the Sikh parade organizers didn’t notify the sheriffs department. Barbara Pendergrass stated that the officer turned out to be wrong.  The officers scheduled to supervise the parade didn’t come to work that day and the officer called to replace them hadn’t been involved in the notification. Barbara Pendergrass stated that it was well organized and that they did a good job cleaning up after the parade. It was her opinion that everything was well run. Marilynne Mellander stated that she had a totally different experience. She expressed concern about noise how the president of the Chamber of Commerce talked about the pastor of Bethel Baptist Church in the press and how the Sikhs were going to take over this area. She was also expressed concern about the swords that the parade participants carried and wondered how they could get away with it.”
Old Business: “responded to by stating that we are encouraging” should read “responded to by stating that we (the forum organizers) are encouraging”.
Motion to approve Minutes for September 13, 2006 as corrected– M(HS),S,P – 5,0,0

TREASURER’S REPORT
$527.50 in account and $92.20 left in petty cash, $7.80 paid for stamps.

PUBLIC COMMENT
Marilynne Mellander stated that her request to Sheriff Rupf for an accounting of monies collected and spent in this area was declined and that maybe a request by the council may carry more importance.

PRESENTATIONS
P.1 Presentation by Lt. Donny Gordon, Bay Station Sheriff’s Department not present. Barbara Pendergrass summarized police report that was handed to her by a deputy.

P.2 Presentation by Terrance Cheung Chief of Staff for Supervisor John Gioia, monthly report.
Dr’s Hospital negotiations are ongoing including a loan and a ‘Joint Powers Authority’. Questions concerning inmate treatment and malpractice at the hospital were raised (as separate items).
Lighting on San Pablo Dam Road: Public works is working on a survey of residents and getting more signatures from landowners.
Santa Rita Rd issues covered by code enforcement report.
Hasn’t yet contacted District Attorney regarding ESMAC members receiving zero funds during the year 2005.
Forums for General Plan Amendment: 6:30-8:30 Thurs., Oct. 26th at Salvation Army, and 8:30-10:30 Sat., Oct. 28th at Hope Lutheran Church.

P.3 Presentation by East Bay Municipal Utility District- Michelle Blackwell -Not available for this meeting.

P.4   Presentation by Herk Schusteff  regarding grading in the El Sobrante Hills.
September 14th and 15th a comprehensive grading and brush clearing above Greenridge road began (parallel but below the fire road). No notification of neighbors had occurred. No one contacted in planning, fire or engineering seemed to know anything about this. A later claim (by someone from the City of Richmond) that a re-grading of a private road had been planned. The work done has not been on an existing road and had filled a year round frog pond. It also appears that a clearing (pad) for a building had been created. He has been assured (by City of Richmond officials) that since this was not a permitted occurrence that restoration would have to occur but he expressed concern, as this is a time sensitive problem. He also expressed concern about the large earthmovers remaining on site. Ownership of the property is still being investigated. Audience member reported that the project manager for Peak (sp?) Engineering claimed they were working for the county fire department on a fire abatement project. Terrance Cheung pointed out that this land is in the City of Richmond and not the county so this statement had to be incorrect.

SHORT DISCUSSION ITEMS -  The Council will consider and take action on the following:
SDI.1 Letter to the West Contra Costa Unified School District Board supporting the construction on an indoor swimming pool for De Anza high School.
Motion to send letter in support of the aquatic center at De Anza High School. M(TO),S,P – 4,1,0

SDI.2 Letters submitted by Marilynne Mellander for the council to consider, regarding the former annexation of May Road etc. to the City of Richmond. Chair suggests that a call be made first to the city and to Eleanor to determine if the documentation retained in files is massive in nature and what part of the file may be required or needed. 
Barbara Pendergrass read a letter from Eleanor Loynd considering this topic.
Motion to withdraw letters regarding annexation and request Marilynne Mellander pursue this matter on her own and report the results at a late meeting. M(TO),S,P -5,0,0

SDI.3 ESMAC Cleanup Day.
Tom Owens reported that BSA Troop 127 has volunteered to aid us on the clean up day (3 adults and up to six scouts). Scott Maskell has offered to let us fill his dump truck and he’ll (unsure of personally or by Rotory Club) pay for dumping of trash. Price for a dumpster is now $600.00. Barbara Pendergrass has lined up three volunteers. Discussion regarding advertising the event ensued. Marilynne Mellander volunteered to pick up items from county public works. The event will be at the El Sobrante Boy’s and Girls Club parking lot Nov. 4th, 8:30-11:00am.

SDI.4 El Sobrante Stroll
Barbara Pendergrass commended Susan Swift and Tom Owens for their effort in setting up and manning the ESMAC booth. Barbara Pendergrass has sent thank you letters for the donors for our drawing. Tom Owens thanked Iona Swift (Susan’s Swift’s niece) for her extraordinary and invaluable help in running our booth. Thanks where also given to Wendi Gosliner and her family for participating in the parade representing the ESMAC.

DISCUSSION ITEMS-
DI.1 Development Plan Applications, Variance reports, Building Modification Requests, Appeals etc. received in the previous month from the Contra Costa County Community Development Department.
Noted that Cingular Wireless had previously promised to return but never has (noted that the antenna installed near Jack in the Box is perhaps the most hideous one ever erected). Request that they be notified about our dissatisfaction.
Discussion about polaris court development ensued.

DI.2 Report from El Sobrante Valley Planning and Zoning Advisory Committee.

INFORMATION ITEMS-
10.1 El Sobrante General Plan Amendment approved at the September 15th Council Meeting.
10.2 El Sobrante Valley Planning and Zoning Advisory Committee October information items.
10.3 Contra Costa County Building Inspection Code Enforcement Report for August 2006.
10.4 EBMUD San Pablo Dam Seismic UpGrade, Final Environmental Impact Report, Response to Comments.
10.5 EBMUD San Pablo Dam Seismic UpGrade, Final Environmental Impact Report, notice of availability.
10.6 West Contra Costa Integrated Waste Management meeting cancellation notice.
10.7 May Valley Neighborhood Council letter and map of boundaries.
10.8 May Valley Neighborhood Council Newsletter.
10.9 Wildcat-San Pablo Creeks Council September meeting information.
10.10  Letter from Eleanor Loynd to Forrest Green Community workshop with questions    regarding the project.
10.11  Letter from Eleanor Loynd to City of Richmond City Manager regarding grading at the top of Greenridge Drive.

Community Group Updates
11.1 District 1 Staff Report- Terrance Cheung
11.2 East Bay Municipal Utility District- Katy Foulkes
11.3 ESVP&ZAC
11.4 ES Chamber of Commerce
11.5 ESMAC Sheriff’s Annex
11.6 Fire District- Marilynne Mellander
11.7 CSA R-9 Committee- Hope Scott
11.8 West County Alcohol Policy Working Group
11.9 ESMAC Library- Barbara A. Pendergrass
11.10 ES Boys and Girls Club
11.11 El Sobrante Coordinating Council-Tom Owens, Barbara Pendergrass
11.12 De Anza Safety Committee

Sub Committee Reports
12.1 ESMAC Land Use- Erica Peng
12.2 ESMAC Grants/ Fund Raising- Charles Marino
12.3 ESMAC Traffic / Transportation- Marilynne Mellander
12.4 ESMAC Web Site and Outreach- Tom Owens
12.5 ESMAC Cleanup Day- Susan Swift
12.6 ESMAC El Sobrante Stroll- Tom Owens

Old Business
13.1 El Sobrante Clean Up Day, Susan Swift and Erica Peng, joint chairs. This item will be discussed under Short Discussion items.
13.2 Report on Community Forum meetings in October on the 26th and 28th of October.New Business14.1 Need for additional Sheriff presence in El Sobrante.            
Public Comment- Marilynne Mellander expressed concerns about the amount and type of work being request by county fire for her property, Terrance Cheung offered to have meeting at his office to discuss this.Question was raised regarding park maintenance funds, discussion ensued.Question was raised regarding contracts and fees for trash pickup.Announcements    
Agenda/Speakers for Next MeetingPresentation by J. P. Singh, Sikh Temple President and Mohinder Datta, the architect on the proposed expansion to the Sikh Temple.

Adjournment
Motion to adjourn M(MM),S,P -5,0,0Meeting adjourned 10:05pm

Respectfully submitted, Tom Owens, Secretary, ESMAC

SUMMARY OF ACTIONS:

Motion to approve Minutes for August 29, 2006 as corrected– M(MM),S,P – 5,0,0

Motion to approve Minutes for September 13, 2006 as corrected– M(HS),S,P – 5,0,0

Motion to send letter in support of the aquatic center at De Anza High School. M(TO),S,P – 4,1,0

Motion to not send letters and request Marilynne Mellander pursue this on her own and report the results at a late meeting. M(TO),S,P -5,0,0

Motion to withdraw letters regarding annexation and request Marilynne Mellander pursue this matter on her own and report the results at a late meeting. M(TO),S,P -5,0,0

Motion to adjourn M(MM),S,P -5,0,0

Meeting adjourned 10:05pm

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