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 Arnold Bolton
Meeting Called to Order: 7:00pm
Note:Erica Peng, Wendi Gosliner, Charles Marino not present.

Minutes for October 11, 2006
Corrections:
P.2 Hours of Saturday forum were 10:00-12:00 not 8:30-10:30.
SDI.4 “manning” in first sentence should read “staffing”
Minutes of October 11, 2006 with corrections approved by consensus

Treasurer’s Report
$527.50 in account and $92.20 left in petty cash

Public Comment
Iris Baly, representing Quail Hill Homeowner’s Association, read a letter addressed to the ESMAC regarding the Sikh temple expansion.
Ruby Molinari described a non-profit organization being set up for business district beautification. She requested that nomination of 2 ESMAC members to serve as officers on the non-profit organization be put on the next ESMAC agenda.
Marilynne Mellander expressed concerns over the Sikh temple expansion and the scope of their activities.
Susan Swift requested that information on community funds available be presented on a regular basis and volunteered obtain cost information on a map of El Sobrante that could be displayed during our meetings.
Mr. Harvey expressed appreciation for the El Sobrante Clean Up Day efforts.

CONSIDER CONSENT ITEMS
CCI.1 Approve payment of $30.00 to Barbara Pendergrass for pad of Easel paper to replace easel paper used for ESMAC meetings and Community Forum.
Motion to approve payment of $30.00 to Barbara Pendergrass for replacement of easel pad of paper. M(MM),S,P – 5,0,0

PRESENTATIONS
P.1 Presentation by Lt. Donny Gordon, Bay Station Sheriff’s Department, not present to give his monthly report on local crime issues.
P.2 Presentation by Michelle Blackwell, East Bay Municipal Utility District.
Claremont Tunnel will begin a service outage for connection to the bypass tunnel (a seismic upgrade) beginning next week and lasting until approximately March 15th.
The El Sobrante Dam EIR was approved by EBMUD board and construction will occur 2008-2010.
P.3 Presentation by Misako Hill, Cingular Wireless, current locations of towers and plans for future sites.
Currently Cingular has 2 towers in El Sobrante Valley (1 proposed on Valley View, 1 near Raleys and 1 along San Pablo Damn Road). Other towers belong to different wireless operators. Number and placement of towers based on capacity needs, and coverage as decided by engineers.

SHORT DISCUSSION ITEMS
SDI.1. Letter to Chief Keith Richter regarding the El Sobrante Fire near Sobrante Avenue.
Rubi Molinari read letter from Chief Richter to Eleanor Lloynds regarding incident. It was pointed out that there were other responders (including Richmond, CDF, Pinole, Hercules, and Rodeo). Discussion included need for street signs on private roads, better (accurate) maps for both police and firemen. The need to continue pushing for a permanent and renewable “first responder” agreement was also presented.
Motion to send letter amended to include missing agencies and fire chiefs. M(SS),S,P – 5,0,0
SDI.2 Review of the Community Forums held to discuss the proposed General Plan Amendments
Barbara Pendergrass reported that the Land Use Sub-committee will meet with Patrich Roche and Supervisor Gioia to incorporate the ESMAC recommendations into the General Plan Amendment. It was explained that the meeting was planned for the sub-committee rather than the full ESMAC in order to keep the meeting manageable. Barbara Pendergrass asked that the Land Use sub-committee meet with other bodies (ie. El Sobrante Manor Neighborhood Council, Chamber of Commerce, church groups, and parent teacher organizations to the presentation of our recommendations to a larger audience.
SDI.3 Report on the ESMAC Cleanup Day and thank you letters to be sent.
Tom Owens reported that the clean up event went smoothly and that 4 dumpsters were filled. A request to send thank you letters to:
Boy Scout Troop 127 for the 4 scouts and 3 leaders that provided the majority of the labor.
D.G.H. Oufitters who donated 18 t-shirts to the volunteers.
Jim Mellander for picking up and returning cones and barriers from county works.
Starbuck’s coffee for providing the coffee and hot cocoa.
Supervisor Gioia for the donation of funds for the fourth dumpster and snacks.
Richmond Sanitary Service for the effort of the drivers who also helped with the labor.

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.
Issues concerning the Sikh temple expansion were discussed. An EIR will be requested by ESVPZAC.
Request was made for another attempt to create a summary sheet.
DI.2 Report from El Sobrante Valley Planning and Zoning Advisory Committee.
Rubi Molinari presented report for ESVPZAC summarizing their agenda.

INFORMATION ITEMS-

Community Group Updates
11.8 West County Alcohol Policy Working Group
Rubi Molinari reported that SB148 requiring conditional use permits for all liquor stores was passed correcting the “grandfather” clause that exempted existing businesses.

Sub Committee Reports

Old Business

New Business

Public Comment-
Marilynne Mellander announced that a meeting between Supervisor Gioia and the Chamber of Commerce regarding County Health Insurance would occur.
Susan Swift questioned the city of Richmond’s commitment to the 400’ elevation limit for development and advocated that valley citizens be active in the city of Richmond General Plan Amendment.

Announcements

Agenda/Speakers for Next Meeting
Presentation 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 – 5,0,0
Meeting adjourned 8:47pm

Respectfully submitted, Tom Owens, Secretary, ESMAC

 

SUMMARY OF ACTIONS:
Meeting Called to Order: 7:00pm
Minutes of October 11, 2006 with corrections approved by concensus.
A requested that nomination of 2 ESMAC members to serve as officers be put on the next agenda.
Motion to approve payment of $30.00 to Barbara Pendergrass for replacement of easel pad of paper. M(MM),S,P – 5,0,0
Motion to send letter amended to include missing agencies and fire chiefs. M(SS),S,P – 5,0,0
A request to send thank you letters to:
Boy Scout Troop 127 for the 4 scouts and 3 leaders that provided the majority of the labor.
Starbuck’s coffee for the donation of coffee and hot cocoa.
Supervisor Gioia for the donation of funds for the fourth dumpster and snacks.
Richmond Sanitary Service for the effort of the drivers who also help with the labor.
Motion to adjourn. M(MM),S,P – 5,0,0
Meeting adjourned 8:47pm

 

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