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MINUTES
BROOKTRAILS TOWNSHIP COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
BROOKTRAILS COMMUNITY CENTER
24850 Birch Street, Willits, CA 95490
May 27, 2003 |
The Board of Directors of Brooktrails Township Community Services District met in regular session
on May 27, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. in Brooktrails Community Center.
A. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
B. ROLL CALL
Roll call showed the following Directors present: Pohlson, Horrick, Venturi, Orth and Skezas. Also present were General Manager Chapman and District Counsel Neary.
C. ADDITIONS/ ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA - None
D. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Director Horrick moved to approve the minutes of April 19, 2003 as written, seconded by Director Pohlson. Motion passed unanimously.
Director Horrick moved to approve the minutes of May 13, 2003, as written, seconded by Director Orth. Motion passed unanimously.
E. SPECIAL PRESENTATION - None
F. PUBLIC HEARING
2. REINTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 120
General Manager Chapman reported that a letter had been received late in the day from Dr. Robert Gitlin protesting the standby charges assessed to his properties. He commented that the purpose of this public hearing was in regards to the ordinance itself. The public hearing for protest was scheduled for June 23, 2003.
General Manager Chapman provided a brief explanation of the proposed ordinance, the purpose of which was to clarify that the charge will be applied to those properties with the capability of receiving sewer service from the District.
President Skezas opened the public hearing at 7:05 p.m. Hearing no comments, he closed the public hearing at 7:06 p.m.
Director Orth made a motion to waive further reading, reintroduce Ordinance No. 120, an ordinance prescribing the sewer standby charge for Fiscal Year 2003/2004 and repealing Ordinance No. 104, and to set a public hearing for June 10, 2003. The motion was seconded by Director Horrick, and passed unanimously.
3. CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION OF APPLICATION TO LAFCO TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE OWNER OF A PROPOSED BED AND BREAKFAST INN ON SHERWOOD ROAD TO PROVIDE COMMERCIAL FIRE SERVICES
General Manager Chapman explained that the purpose of the public hearing was to receive comments regarding the out-of-area agreement with Earl and Christina Collins, and to approve the Resolution of Application to LAFCO.
President Skezas opened the public hearing at 7:07 p.m. Hearing no comments, he closed the public hearing at 7:08 p.m.
Director Venturi made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 2003-15, a Resolution of Application to LAFCO. The motion was seconded by Director Orth, and the vote was taken as follows:
AYES: Directors: Pohlson, Horrick, Venturi, Orth, Skezas
NOES: Directors: None
ABSENT: Directors: None
Resolution No. 2003-15 adopted.
G. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None
H. CONSENT CALENDAR
4. REVIEW OF ACCOUNTS PAYABLE REPORT AND AUTHORIZATION TO ISSUE CHECKS
Director Pohlson moved to approve the report and authorize issuance of checks. The motion was seconded by Director Orth and passed unanimously.
I. ACTION AGENDA
5. CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE NO. 121 AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 76
General Manager Chapman reviewed the modifications suggested to Chapter IV, to define the term "ready to proceed" as those applicants that have received an exemption from the Department of Health Services compliance order.
As to the proposed Chapter V, he reviewed the changes made to the Water Conservation and Leak Reduction program which was first reviewed at the meeting of May 13th.
Director Orth made a motion to introduce Ordinance No. 121, an ordinance amending Ordinance No. 76 to add the definition of "Ready to Proceed" to Article 2 of Chapter IV; to revise Section 4-303 regarding allocation of connections; to add Chapter V - Water Conservation and Leak Reduction, and to set a public hearing for June 10, 2003. The motion was seconded by Director Venturi and passed unanimously.
6. RECEIVE AND DISCUSS RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE AD-HOC STUDY COMMITTEE WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED ON APRIL 22, 2003 TO REVIEW THE DIRECTIVES OF THE SPECIFIC PLAN AND ADVISE THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON THE ROLE OF COMMITTEES AND COMMISSIONS
Director Pohlson reported on the two committee meetings that resulted in the written recommendations prepared for the Board.
Committee member, Robert Terry, resident of Poppy Lane, came forward and reviewed the report. He invited comments from the Board.
Director Orth spoke in favor of the committee concentrating on Chapter 10 issues, such as development of a hillside ordinance. He felt that environmental issues such as those outlined in Section II of the recommendations should be addressed by the Recreation, Greenbelt, and Conservation Committee. He voiced concern about the Brooktrails Architectural Review Commission (BARC) advising on policy issues, because of its role as an appeals board.
Mr. Terry pointed out that the Specific Plan suggests those policies outlined in Section II be implemented by the District Board, BARC, and the District Architect.
Director Venturi voiced concern about the committee members monitoring the progress of permitted construction, as the District does not have the authority to do so. He felt that the proposed committee should simply advise and make recommendations on the Specific Plan, and not act as building inspectors.
Mr. Terry felt that the District Architect should receive more input from the community as to what they feel he should be looking at.
Director Orth suggested that the District Architect be a member of the committee, and meet with them quarterly. He also felt that the membership should be diverse, and include renters, property owners, and working people, as well retired people.
President Skezas went through the recommendations by item. The Board indicated their agreement with item 1, leaving the BARC in its present form. As to item 2, membership, he suggested including the District Architect, and appointing seven people, using the diversified list from the staff report. Board members indicated their agreement with the title ÎSpecific Plan Advisory Committee' and the task of providing planning information to the Board.
Mr. Terry pointed out that page 419 of the Specific Plan states "a volunteer Advisory Committee consisting of Brooktrails property owners". President Skezas commented that the suggested membership could all be property owners with the exception of "Renters."
As to Section I, Director Pohlson clarified for President Skezas that the Specific Plan Advisory Committee would be dealing with both private and public lands, whereas the Recreation, Greenbelt, Conservation Committee deals only with public lands. Director Orth pointed out that affordable housing, listed in item 3), is a State responsibility, and suggested the committee work on things such as the water storage tank policy and the hillside ordinance. He also pointed out that finances have an impact on what can be done, and that the regulatory process has limited the number of building permits which will be issued.
President Skezas summarized the consensus of the Board that the committee be narrower in scope than proposed, the tasks be prioritized, and include item 3 under Recommendations, and items 4 and 6 of Section II.
Director Venturi reiterated his concern about the committee monitoring construction, and stated his preference that they start with the policies outlined in Section I. He spoke against the committee starting with Chapter 10 of the Specific Plan.
Mary Ziady, resident of Rose Terrace, suggested that the committee meet monthly and the District Architect attend quarterly.
Bob Houtz, resident of Harrah Place and member of the ad-hoc committee, assured the Board that the intent of the committee was to identify and report those projects that are out of compliance before it is too late to correct the problems.
Director Venturi stated that it does not take a committee to identify and report to the General Manager projects that appear to be out of compliance.
Director Pohlson voiced concern that by the time a problem is reported it is often too late to correct it. She believed that the District Architect would welcome assistance from the committee.
President Skezas commented once a project is approved, the District Architect doesn't see it again until it is finished. To change that procedure, a policy would have to be developed, and funding would have to be provided.
General Manager Chapman added that there is a point in time where the authority is handed over to the County, and it has to be distinct.
Director Venturi asked that the matter be brought back to further define the priorities of the committee. Noting the amount of development in progress, Director Pohlson commented that the priorities would be dictated by circumstances.
Dick Robie, resident of Cobb Drive, questioned whether the Board members were comfortable with the building code abatement procedure as it currently exists. General Manager Chapman commented that the County Code Enforcement Officers respond in a very timely manner.
However, Director Pohlson voiced concern about the number of variances granted by the County, and the fact that the District has no recourse.
Director Orth asked District Counsel Neary if a performance bond could be required of new construction. District Counsel Neary reminded the Directors that the building permit authority is vested with the County exclusively, and that the only authority over development granted to the District is the development ordinance that was adopted in conjunction with the Specific Plan. In response to Director Orth's specific question, he stated that the District did not have authority to require a performance bond, but could approach the Board of Supervisors to delegate that authority.
Director Orth pointed out that there are ways to resolve issues, by developing policies and working with the various agencies, and suggested that the committee members could be discussing those types of things rather than crossing property lines and making inspections.
Bob Houtz came forward to suggest that the committee work as a steering committee with the District Architect to notify the General Manager of violations. Pointing out the concerns raised by Director Venturi, Director Orth stressed that policies work on a global basis, as opposed to targeting individuals.
General Manager Chapman suggested he meet with the ad-hoc committee to develop the first draft of a resolution establishing the committee. President Skezas asked that it include recommended priorities. Board members indicated their agreement with the suggestion.
J. SPECIAL REPORTS - GENERAL MANAGER
General Manager Chapman reported that fire engine number 5285 had been repaired and was back in service, he would be attending a Willits Bypass PDT meeting on Thursday, May 29th at the City of Willits, twenty additional water connections had been approved by the Department of Health Services, the annual table top drill had been scheduled for June 21st, and Solid Wastes of Willits delivered the annual franchise fee of $18,790.00. He also reported that he would be making application with the State of California Safe Drinking Water Fund for financing major projects in the water department. Board members reviewed the upcoming agenda items.
K. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Bob Terry reported that new chairs had been purchased for the community center.
L. ADJOURNMENT
Director Venturi moved to adjourn and President Skezas declared the meeting of May 27, 2003 closed at 8:26 p.m.
GEORGE SKEZAS, President
MICHAEL V. CHAPMAN, Secretary to the Board of Directors |
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