Minutes - August 3, 1999

MINUTES

BROOKTRAILS TOWNSHIP COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

BROOKTRAILS COMMUNITY CENTER

24850 Birch Street, Willits, CA 95490

August 3, 1999

The Board of Directors of Brooktrails Township Community Services District
met in special session on August 3, 1999 at 7:00 p.m. in Brooktrails Community Center.

A. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

B. ROLL CALL

Roll call showed the following Directors present: Eads, Orth and Skezas. Also present were General Manager Williams and District Counsel Neary.

C. ADDITIONS/ ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA

None

D. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS

July 13, 1999

Director Orth moved to approve the minutes of July 13, 1999 as written, seconded by Director Eads. Motion was passed unanimously by the members present.

July 27, 1999

Director Orth moved to approve the minutes of July 27, 1999 as written, seconded by Director Eads. Motion was passed unanimously by the members present.

E. PUBLIC HEARING

2. CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE NO. 110.

ORDINANCE FIRST INTRODUCED 06/29/99; REVISED AND REINTRODUCED 07/13/99.

General Manager Williams suggested that the public hearing be deferred to the end of the agenda, as four votes in favor are required to approve the Ordinance.

President Skezas commented that in the draft ballot statement, the language concerning the increase was unclear. Board members agreed to discuss the statement later in the meeting, as well.

F. PUBLIC COMMENTS

Ginger Pohlson of Brooktrails Drive came forward and asked if the Board planned to discuss the preferred routes for the Brooktrails second access at a Board meeting in the near future.

General Manager Williams informed her that the subject will be discussed at the Board meeting of August 24, 1999, and that representatives from the County, State and the City of Willits, as well as Mr. Wagenet, will be invited to attend.

Note: Director Estabrook arrived at 7:07 p.m.

G. ACTION AGENDA

2. NOTICE OF RESIGNATION OF SUSAN WISHART FROM THE GREEN COMMITTEE AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF VACANCY.

Director Orth moved to accept the resignation with regret, announce the vacancy and order a posting of Notice for 30 days, seconded by Director Eads. Motion passed unanimously by the members present.

General Manager Williams informed them that the Women's Club had already nominated a replacement, however the notice will be posted to see if there are other interested candidates. Director Eads expressed his appreciation that established procedure will be followed.

H. PUBLIC HEARING (deferred from earlier in the meeting)

2. CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE NO. 110.

ORDINANCE FIRST INTRODUCED 06/29/99; REVISED AND REINTRODUCED 07/13/99.

General Manager Williams commented that the Ordinance has been drafted as discussed and introduced at the previous meetings, and is now ready for public hearing. If approved, the signed Ordinance will be delivered to the County Clerk by 10:30 a.m. August 4th, to be placed on the November ballot.

President Skezas opened the public hearing at 7:08 p.m. Hearing no comments he closed the public hearing at 7:09 p.m.

Director Orth made a motion to waive further reading and adopt Ordinance No.110, an Ordinance amending Ordinance No. 29 to provide for specified increases in the Special Fire Tax, including annual adjustments in the first ten years. The motion was seconded by Director Estabrook. The vote on the motion was as follows:

AYES: Directors: Eads, Estabrook, Orth, Skezas

NOES: Directors: None

ABSENT: Directors: Whitney

Ordinance No. 110 adopted.

In reference to the draft ballot statement, Director Eads felt that the wording should state more strongly that the tax rate will be set at $65. Because this will be used as the opening argument in favor of the measure, he felt that it should address all of the obvious questions before they are asked, including the past performance of the department, the number of volunteers, how the funds are going to be spent, and the justification of the abatement program.

Director Estabrook asked for the following changes; in paragraph 1, the phrase "saw the wisdom to approve" be changed to "voted to approve", the word "plurality" be changed to "majority", the phrase "so that there could be a fire department" read "to establish a fire department", change "In addition" to "Since 1981" and add "fire prevention program" in front of "hazard abatement program", with "hazard abatement program" in parenthesis. He also asked that a lead in statement be added to the second paragraph, deleting the word "but" and adding "While the Fire Tax has not increased in nearly 20 years", and the second sentence be revised to read "Thus, we are proposing an adjustment for your consideration."

President Skezas asked that the third sentence in the second paragraph read "For example, a single family residence will rise from $45 to $65 the first year, with a possible maximum increase to $97 in the year 2010."

The Board asked the General Manager to express their appreciation to the County Clerk-Recorder for the extension of time to submit the final Ordinance for the November election.

I. SPECIAL REPORTS - THE GENERAL MANAGER.

i. Significant Correspondence received since last meeting:

The Wagenet's proposal for an alternative second access and connection to the proposed Bypass has been formally submitted , and they have asked for time on the agenda of August 24th to discuss this matter with the Board. Gordon Logan from the City of Willits has stated his intention to attend. Bob Parker from the County Dept. of Transportation and Mr. Bryant from Cal Trans will also be invited. Director Orth suggested inviting a representative from MCOG, and Director Eads asked that Patti Campbell of the PDT committee be notified, as well.

ii. Personnel