MINUTES

A. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

B. ROLL CALL

Roll call showed the following Directors present: Whitney, Venturi, Monteleone, Orth and Estabrook. Also present were General Manager Chapman and District Counsel Neary.

C. ADDITIONS/ ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA

Director Orth asked that items three and five be reciprocated. No objections were voiced. Director Whitney asked for fifteen to thirty minutes to discuss upcoming agenda items.

D. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS

July 24, 2001

Director Orth asked that on page 3185, in item number 2, the phrase "Health Department" be changed to "Division of Water Resources."

Director Monteleone asked that the phrase "how to better publicize" be inserted after "Director Monteleone asked for a future agenda item
to discuss" in the fifth paragraph of item number 1b.

Director Whitney asked that his request for a future agenda item be noted.

Director Orth moved to approve the minutes of July 24, 2001 as amended, seconded by Director Monteleone. The vote was taken on the motion as follows:

AYES: Directors: Whitney, Monteleone, Orth, Estabrook
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: Director Venturi

Minutes Approved.

July 31, 2001

President Estabrook asked that a paragraph be added to the minutes after the close of the public hearing as follows:

"President Estabrook then invited audience members to make suggestions for improvement to the program for the next year. Tom Porter objected to the ten foot spacing for trees as a standard. President Estabrook agreed, stating that it should be scheduled for a future agenda item. John Borgna and Bob Thompson also objected to the ten foot standard. Ms. Chandler suggested a longer notice period so that people living out of the area have time to comply. She also suggested the District get more accurate ownership information from Deerwood."

In response to President Estabrook's concern that only two Board members were present at the meeting, District Counsel Neary suggested the minutes be marked as "Received and Noted."

Director Whitney made a motion that they be so marked. The motion was seconded by President Estabrook and passed unanimously.

E. SPECIAL PRESENTATION

None

F. PUBLIC HEARING

2. HEARING ON ABATEMENT EXPENSE

Director Whitney asked that the cost accounting justification for the administrative fee be prepared for Board approval.
Director Venturi asked for clarification of the work done that resulted in the charge of $1805.40. Director of Emergency Services, Daryl Schoeppner clarified that it was for hazardous tree removal. He provided the total charges of $15,842.64.
General Manager Chapman reported that he had been talking with the local banks to secure financing for the next phase of the abatement program.
President Estabrook opened the public hearing at 7:15 p.m. Hearing no protests, he closed the public hearing at 7:16 p.m.
Director Orth moved to approve Resolution No. 2001-22, A Resolution Confirming the Cost of Abatement and Providing for the Collection on the Regular Tax Bill by the County of Mendocino. The motion was seconded by Director Venturi.
A vote on the motion was taken as follows:

AYES: Directors: Whitney, Venturi, Monteleone, Orth, Estabrook
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Resolution No. 2001-22 Adopted.

Director Venturi commented on the increased compliance, especially in the Madrone Drive area.

G. PUBLIC COMMENTS

Alicia Walter voiced concern about older homes in disrepair that constitute fire and health hazards. Mr. Schoeppner offered to step up communication with residents to educate them on fire hazards.
Warren Miller provided an update on the Propane Alliance.

H. ACTION AGENDA

5. DISCUSSION OF TOPICS AND GUESTS FOR SPECIAL MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 4, 2001 - GREENBELT MANAGEMENT

General Manager Chapman commented on the importance of the meeting, and provided a list of attendees confirmed to date.

Director Whitney stated his goal for the meeting was to update the District's Redwood Park Plan, as required by the Specific Plan. He suggested inviting representatives from the Redwood Forest Foundation, a non-profit organization which specializes in the management redwood forest land. He also provided a list of people that he would like to invite. He asked that all areas of redwoods be considered, not just the Willits Creek watershed, and provided specific areas of concern to him.

Director Monteleone asked for more information about the Redwood Forest Foundation, and the grant money available through them. Director Whitney provided a brief explanation of the organization.

Director Orth stressed the need to prepare for the development of a watershed management plan, and suggested developing a statement that clearly defines how the Brooktrails watershed will be overseen.
Mr. Schoeppner reported on the grant funds received by CDF to be used in Brooktrails, and provided a brief outline of the type of work they hoped to accomplish.

President Estabrook suggested narrowing the topics, eliminating the recreation grove and the golf course, and focusing on the large Greenbelt areas, like the Willits Creek watershed and the areas mentioned by Director Whitney. He asked for expert representation from the fields of fire protection, forest management, forest ecology, and watershed management, and suggested developing a map, color coded, to indicate the focus of each area.

Director Orth suggested for two additional topics of discussion, the process of obtaining grant funding, and preparation for the oak and madrone die-out.
Director Monteleone stated her preference for the topics of fire management and habitat management. She urged Mr. Schoeppner to pursue the use of a chipper for residents to dispose of their slash during fire season.

4. REVIEW OF REVISED WILLITS CREEK TIMBER HARVEST PLAN

General Manager Chapman reported that John Burns, Registered Professional Forester, was unable to attend due to illness. He commented that a hearing on the plan would be held on August 22nd, and asked for input from the Board as to comments they would like him to make at the hearing. He reviewed the changes made to the plan, voicing concern about operations conducted during the winter.
Director Whitney made a motion that the Board go on record as being opposed to winter operations, irrespective of the method used, including helicopter logging, because of a concern about erosion. Director Orth seconded the motion. A vote was taken on the motion as follows:

AYES: Directors: Whitney, Monteleone, Orth, Estabrook
NOES: Venturi
ABSENT: None
Motion carried

President Estabrook commented it appeared that the revisions to the THP have resulted in the disturbances being mitigatable, and was willing to say that it could be accomplished without seriously jeopardizing the watershed. He voiced concern about fuel storage for the helicopter on the site, and requested all fueling and maintenance of the helicopter be done at Ells field. He asked that clarification be made concerning the means of disposal of slash from tan oaks, and that the 85% canopy retention be confirmed.

Director Orth voiced appreciation that the owner had been willing to address the Board's concerns, especially relating to restorative work on the site.
Director Monteleone voiced concern about which roads would be used to remove the logs from the site.

3. REPORT ON HAND HELD METER READERS

General Manager Chapman reviewed the proposals received for the purchase of new meter reading equipment, and recommended purchasing the readers from Schlumberger. He described the telemetry capability of the units, which can to read meters from a distance of up to 1,000 feet. He noted that the meters, themselves must be purchased separately, although ten were included with the quote, and suggested perhaps budgeting for an additional ten per year.

Director Whitney clarified that the readers would be purchased out of the water fund reserves, not out of the connection fees.

Director Venturi suggested that all new construction be provided with the meters that have the telemetry units.

Director Whitney voiced concern about the cost of the telemetry meters going up in the future, and the compatibility of the readers with other products. He made a motion to approve the purchase of the Schlumberger readers, as recommended by the General Manager. The motion was seconded by Director Orth and passed unanimously.

6. ANNUAL REVIEW OF DISTRICT INVESTMENT POLICY AND ESTABLISHMENT OF INDEBTEDNESS POLICY.

General Manager Chapman reviewed the detail provided on the draft policies.

Director Whitney suggested a footnote be added to the Indebtedness Policy concerning the fact that the Golf Fund debt does not meet the 30% limit. He asked that the word "externally" be added between "not" and "borrow" in the first sentence under "Prohibitions."

District Counsel Neary suggested a requirement that any debt exceeding 30% of a fund's balance require Board approval.

Director Whitney suggested striking the first sentence under "Prohibitions" entirely.

Director Monteleone asked that it be moved to a separate category titled "Guidelines."

Director Orth suggested the word "additional" be struck from the second sentence under "Prohibitions."

Director Venturi moved to adopt 2001-23, a Resolution Updating the Investment Policy for Brooktrails Township Community Services District. The motion was seconded by Director Whitney and the vote was taken as follows:

AYES: Directors: Whitney, Venturi, Monteleone, Orth, Estabrook
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Resolution No. 2001-23 Adopted.

Director Orth moved to adopt 2001-24, a Resolution Establishing the Indebtedness Policy for Brooktrails Township Community Services District. The motion was seconded by Director Whitney and the vote was taken as follows:

AYES: Directors: Whitney, Venturi, Monteleone, Orth, Estabrook
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Resolution No. 2001-24 Adopted.

I. SPECIAL REPORTS - GENERAL MANAGER

i. Significant Correspondence received since last meeting:

(1) President Estabrook called attention to a letter from Allen Falleri, Chief Planner with the County Department of Planning and Building, concerning the hearing on the Use Permit application for the Brooktrails Lodge. General Manager Chapman commented that the County is asking Dr. Gitlin for the same information the Board has been asking for.

Director Monteleone asked that the District obtain copies of any correspondence sent to the County in response to the letter.

Director Whitney asked for an agenda item after items two and three of the County's letter have been received by the District, to discuss the timing of the next Brooktrails Lodge Use Permit Application discussion.

Director Orth commented that item three, the water issue, was currently under negotiation. He felt that the letter laid out the process for the approval of the permit, and that enough experts were now involved in the process that the project would be able to move forward.

Director Monteleone pointed out that at the August 7th Board meeting Dr. Gitlin's attorney stated that there would be no requirement that the tenants be seniors. She felt that the letter was probably a surprise to Dr. Gitlin.

Director Whitney pointed out that in item number three of Mr. Falleri's letter, the "T" was left out of BTCSD the District's abbreviated name, and he omitted "sewer." However, General Manager Chapman's letter dated August 8th was written on letterhead which included "Township" in the title, and included the sentence "A followup motion was also approved to allow the general manager and the applicant to negotiate an agreement regarding specific fees and charges relating to the change in use." He stressed that a written legal agreement would be entered into with the applicant for both water and sewer, which would satisfy the requirement in item number 3. He also stressed the importance of resolving the issue prior to the election.

(2) President Estabrook called attention to the upcoming meeting of the Willits Bypass Project Development Team, and reported that they are officially eliminating the TSM alternative.

ii. Personnel

iii. Finance

Director Orth pointed out that a check had been prepared for LAFCO, representing the new annual disbursement. He reported problems with scheduling talks amongst the representatives, noting that Special Districts are prepared to remove themselves from LAFCO next year if there is not a resolution on the funding issue. General Manager Chapman reported that the check had been voided pending discussion by the Board. Director Orth asked for a future agenda item to discuss LAFCO membership.

 

iv. Planning

v.

Possible upcoming agenda items
Director Whitney asked that agenda items be scheduled to discuss the following topics: Brooktrails Lodge Use Permit, upon receipt of the items requested by the County

Update on the grant from Fish and Game for habitat restoration in Summer Meadow
Update on Birch/Sherwood Road intersection improvement
LAFCO fees

Insurance issue with BPOA, as to responsibility for grounds
Brooktrails Boundary issue

vi. Other

J. PUBLIC COMMENTS

Kris Wagner thanked the Board and the General Manager for the recent negotiations with Dr. Gitlin.

Director Monteleone reported that BPOA has donated the use of the Community Center to the Boys and Girls Club for a week long day camp.
K. ADJOURNMENT
Director Orth moved to adjourn and President Whitney declared the meeting of August 14, 2001 closed at 9:15 p.m.

MICHAEL V. CHAPMAN
Secretary to the Board of Directors

RICHARD ESTABROOK
President