The Board of Directors of Brooktrails Township Community Services District met in special session on September 4, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. in Brooktrails Community Center.
A. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
B. ROLL CALL
Roll call showed the following Directors present: Whitney, Monteleone, Orth and Estabrook. Also present were General Manager Chapman and District Counsel Neary.
C. ADDITIONS/ ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA
None
D. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
None
E. SPECIAL PRESENTATION
None
F. PUBLIC HEARING
None
G. PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
H. ACTION AGENDA
1. DISCUSSION OF GREENBELT MANAGEMENT AND UPDATE OF THE REDWOOD PARK PLAN
President Estabrook described the "focus meeting" concept, and asked each person present to state their name.
Using the overhead projector, he displayed a map of the District and pointed out the Greenbelt areas, which total approximately 2,511 acres. He clarified that the Greenbelt is public owned land and that the Board of Directors is responsible for its management. Aspects to consider include fire protection, watershed protection, revenue or income, recreation, aesthetics, wildlife, and ecosystem. He commented on the difficulties in balancing the various aspects, which sometimes conflict, and the need to develop a strategy.
Mark Tolbert, CDF Battalion Chief, came forward to discuss the threat to the community from fires that may occur in the Greenbelt. He spoke highly of the District's fire hazard abatement program, noting that it goes above and beyond CDF's thirty-foot defensible space target. He reported that the CDF crews have been working in the Greenbelt to eliminate the "ladder fuels" in an effort to reduce the intensity of any fire that may occur, and to give the department an opportunity to defend the community. He urged residents to focus on the perimeter of their property and to create the largest defensible space that they can.
Discussion ensued concerning the grant obtained by CDF, and the implementation of the chipper service. Mr. Tolbert offered to keep the District updated as the program progresses.
Director Orth provided an outline of the Greenbelt Maintenance program, which allows residents to abate a section of the Greenbelt adjacent to their property.
Greg Giusti, Forest Advisor with the University of California Cooperative Extension Office, began his presentation noting the difference between "passive management" and "active management." He commented on the good and bad effects of roads, noting the importance of access to the forest and the possible effects usage of them may have on the watershed. He reviewed specific factors within the forest that determine the suitability of the habitat, noting that wildlife responds to the structure and composition of the vegetation.
Director Whitney suggested the District work with CDF to establish a controlled burn program for certain areas in the Greenbelt. Mr. Giusti encouraged a full assessment of all options of vegetation management.
President Estabrook next introduced Joelle Geppart, with the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB.) Ms. Geppart pointed out the need to balance watershed considerations with fire protection and restoration issues. She provided suggestions as to ways to reduce erosion and accomplish restoration projects, urging community involvement. She pointed out that reducing fuels can help prevent wildland fires, which can be a major source of erosion.
Ruth Goodfield, Watershed Restorationist, commended the community for its watershed restoration efforts to date. She provided a review of the District's grant application for habitat restoration in the former Summer Lake area, and reported that she would be applying for additional funding for the project in the fall through the Department of Fish and Game and the SB271 program. She expressed interest in being involved in the planning for Greenbelt and streambed management, and noted that large fallen trees can be utilized in the streams to improve fish habitat.
Ms. Geppart provided maps of the Willits Creek watershed and photos obtained from the internet. She and Ms. Goodfield provided suggestions as to ways the public can get involved in the restoration projects. A brief question and answer session with audience members ensued.
Mike Aplet, with the Wild Turkey Trail Club, offered the club's assistance with the projects and asked that development of pedestrian access to Willits Creek be included as a part of the grant application.
Mark Edwards, who works on the St. Francis Ranch, commented that the adoption of a viable management policy by Brooktrails would establish the District in a leadership role and create a willingness and opportunity for adjacent neighbors to do a better job themselves.
Director Orth stressed the need for smaller communities like Brooktrails to obtain state and federal funds to assist with the expense of restoration.
Janice Gendreau, with the Wild Turkey Trail Club, provided an outline of the club's goals and values. Gloria Harden, with the Wild Turkey Trail Club and member of the Greenbelt, Conservation, and Recreation Committee provided a brief observation of the trails in the District, noting that most are former skid trails and are in need of improvement, including bridges and culverts.
Mike Aplet, also a member of the Wild Turkey Trail Club and Greenbelt, Conservation, and Recreation Committee, reported on the club's goal of developing an inter-connected trail system to provide recreation, pedestrian and bicycle access to the Greenbelt, as well as access to the City of Willits. He stressed the need to identify and acquire those sections of trail that are now inaccessible because they were sold as lots by the subdivision developers.
Doug Pollard, hiking club member and mountain bike enthusiast, voiced concern about trees blocking the trails and the resulting fire danger. He offered assistance in clearing the trails using power tools and hand tools, but was concerned about disposal of the brush.
Kris Wagner, member of the Wild Turkey Trail Club and assistant with the Boys and Girls Club, provided a report on the summer day camp held at the Community Center which was sponsored by the Boys and Girls Club. She suggested suggested the trail club and staff work together to establish a volunteer program and develop appropriate policies. She also asked that the Greenbelt Maintenance Program be promoted, and that trail access and ownership issues of the trail heads be identified.
Claudia Reed, writer from the Willits News, commented on the difficulty in locating the trails. Mike Aplet stated that it was the Recreation Committee's intent to mark the trail entrances with signs. Director Orth, Chairman of the Recreation Committee, reported that as a part of the $30,000 State Per Capita Grant funds, trail signs, which would include the rating of the trail and safety precautions, would be included in the budget.
Director Monteleone summarized the requests from the Trail Club; for the Board to direct staff to work with the club to develop a volunteer program, to address trail identification and access issues, and to promote the Greenbelt Maintenance program. Kris Wagner clarified that the Trail Club was also asking that policy be set concerning liability issues and insurance coverage relating to the use of volunteers working on trails.
A break was called.
BREAK at 9:17 p.m. - RECONVENE at 9:27 p.m.
Mike Aplet provided a brief update on the activities of the Greenbelt, Conservation, and Recreation committee. Accomplishments included establishment of the trail club, updating maps, development of the draft conservation plan, and maintenance of the hiking trail through the upper nine. Utilizing the overhead projector, he reviewed the updated map of the hiking trails. He requested a map of donated lots, and provided estimates to develop color maps of the District.
Greg Giusti's suggestions for the development of a management plan included; an assessment of road systems, archeological sites, water courses, habitat considerations, wildlife, and timber. He commented that the timber assessment done in 1984 would not be very useful at this point in time, but felt that the six management units defined in that report could be utilized. He recommended that timber harvest be considered, and offered to set up field trips to other forested areas to look at what had been done. He also recommended consulting CDF to find out what the regulatory options are, including a non-industrial timber management plan. He suggested setting up a timber management workshop, including third party certification representatives, who have a higher level of sensitivity to environmental and social issues.
As to funding, he suggested timber harvest be considered as a revenue source to fix trails, roads, and to meet other needs of the District. He provided information on cooperative resource management groups in other areas, made up of neighbors working with neighbors, that have worked on watershed issues, such as erosion control, streambed stabilization, vegetation management, and fire safe programs.
Mark Edwards, Forester, outlined the timber management program implemented by the City of Willits.
Discussion ensued about the value of thinning trees that are growing around the stumps of the old growth trees. Director Whitney voiced his opinion that an intelligent plan could provide revenue to manage the Greenbelt, purchase Recreation Grove, secure the trail to the City of Willits, keep the trail system clear, provide adequate parking and maintain the highest and best uses of the Greenbelt, which are water quality, recreation and wildlife. He pointed out that harvesting for revenue would not be the main objective, rather it would be management of the Greenbelt. He urged his fellow Board members to look at other watershed management efforts, and learn from their experience.
President Estabrook commented that he would be very hard-pressed to consider a timber harvest of any kind unless it were a public safety issue.
Mike Aplet voiced his opinion that logging would be a temporary fix, and that he would only be supportive of a plan that would repair damage that has occurred as a result of logging in the past.
Director Monteleone commented that she would only support a timber harvest plan that was completely transparent and for fire safety purposes only, and never to simply raise funds.
Ginger Pohlson outlined the good and bad points of the timber harvest done on the golf course. Noting the damage from prior logging, she stressed the need to look at the Greenbelt as being in need of repair.
Mr. Giusti commented that, as a forest advisor for Mendocino County, he fully understands and appreciates the conflicts and controversy associated with timber harvest. He stressed the importance of continuing discussions and making people aware of why the subject is being discussed.
Director Monteleone voiced concern that delay could cause willing volunteers to loose interest. She made a motion to direct staff to develop a volunteer program that would enable the hiking club volunteers to use power tools, such as chainsaws, and hand tools for work needed on the trails. Director Whitney seconded the motion, which passed unanimously by the members present.
Director Whitney made a motion that an agreement be developed for use between Brooktrails and private property owners to promote Greenbelt management. The motion was seconded by Director Orth, who added that the District needs to research its existing policies and develop a good public education program. A vote was taken on the motion which passed unanimously by the members present.
Director Orth asked for Board approval for Ms. Goodfield to resubmit the application for grant funding for the watershed management plan. The Board members present indicated their approval. He also asked Ms. Goodfield to work with Mr. Guisti on the details, including the vegetation management issues.
Director Whitney spoke in favor of implementing controlled burns. He asked for a future agenda item to discuss the topic with CDF representatives. He asked the Board to schedule field trips to review the forest management efforts in other areas.
Director Orth suggested another meeting be scheduled, to focus on the components of a management plan. He also suggested selection of a test area to ascertain how the plan would work. The Board members present voiced agreement with Director Orth's proposal.
Ginger Pohlson suggested the Board review other written management plans. Mr. Guisti provided suggestions as to where such examples could be obtained.
I. SPECIAL REPORTS - GENERAL MANAGER
None
J. PUBLIC COMMENTS
None
K. ADJOURNMENT
Director Orth moved to adjourn and President Whitney declared the meeting of September 4, 2001 closed at 10:45 p.m.
RICHARD ESTABROOK
President
MICHAEL V. CHAPMAN,
Secretary to the Board of Directors
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