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Avila Valley Advisory Council

Minutes of November 14, 2005 Meeting

Call to Order

B. Pusanik called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Members Present: B. Pusanik, K. Argano, A. Brown, J. Scott, K. Bittner, S. Gooding, D. Palaia, T. Ivarie, J. Schug, L. Newton

Members Absent, John Salisbury, Jan Taylor, Lynn Walter, Marylou Gooden, Bill Tickell, N. Matlin, J. Biesek

Approval of minutes: Motion to approve minutes of both the 10-10-05 meeting and the special meeting of 11-03-05, motion seconded and passed unanimously.

1.0 TREASURER’S REPORT L. Newton

$980.58 is the balance in the account. Same as last meeting. Received a bill from the Planning Dept for $102.00 for copies. Anne Brown also submitted a bill totaling $62.00 for copies. These bills were approved by the council and will be paid.

2.0 COUNTY REPORTS

2.1Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Rasmussen

There were very few calls for service in the last month in Avila, nothing that went to arrest, very quiet. Continued parking problems on Front Street in Avila, people parking in front of red curbs, they have told the sheriffs that they have been to AVAC and gotten permission? It’s mostly RV’s and people unloading and loading their vehicles for art fairs or farmer’s market. AVAC advised the Sgt that nobody has gotten permission from the council to park in those areas.

2.2 County Supervisor, District 3 Jerry Lenthall

No major car crashes in the last 30 days and no injuries. Speed enforcement is still a priority on San Luis Bay Drive, the speed monitor is up and is doing a study to count cars and monitor speed. The revised road impact fees are going to be passed tomorrow night and are less than originally anticipated. Parking issue: There is only $29K in the fund for parking fees fund, not enough money to work with right now, certainly not enough for a public works project. Sales tax: Avila put some big points on the board this past year, bed tax totaled $654,854.00 into the county fund. What are we getting back? Can we get some more money earmarked for Avila? Looking good on the Bob Jones Bike Trail completion, things are happening, significant benchmarks are being achieved.

County Planning Staff Ryan Hostetter

The big topic is still the Avila schoolhouse district property. The planning department is going to continue the matter off calendar to hopefully find a resolution, possibly moving the schoolhouse to a new location. The developers are working with the community and Jerry Lenthall to explore all avenues. No new projects in Avila Beach at this time. Ryan introduced Peter Jenny from the County Parks Dept, Parks Mgr, (pjenny@co.slo.ca.us). Peter has attended with James Caruso meetings about the PG&E steam generator project. It looks like there will be @ $1 million dollars worth of mitigation funds which PG&E may be wiling to spend if this project is permitted. What might be some hot ticket items…improve access to lighthouse without having to go through security at Diablo, lump funding, an endowment to help county parks staff raise the bar to help with the detail of maintenance for the plaza. These projects have to involve coastal access, improving the maintenance of the park and the plaza. Does AVAC want to add this to the roster for next month? After some discussion among the panel, AVAC supports the lighthouse access project working with Parks per Bob. Peter suggested that we think about the best use of the money and whether or not the project could get done in a timely fashion. With things like the bike trail, they are having an easy time finding other people’s money to pay for this and get it done. Think about projects in terms of the maintenance also, county is putting a freeze on building anything new until they know they can maintain it. Please send Peter recommendations within the next month or so, ideas about upcoming projects and prioritize importance and vision of Avila growth and needs. Karla puts a motion on the table that we bring this back to the board next month when PG&E is here at the December meeting. The council voted to table the letter for approval (dated 11-10-05) which was addressed to the Planning Dept asking that Diablo support the lighthouse access project. Bob made the motion to table this letter, seconded by Sherri, all voted in favor of this motion. Peter will make himself available for next month’s AVAC meeting. Question to Ryan about the status of the Martin Hotel project, she commented that they were still disagreeing on the roofing material being reflective in nature Ryan will follow up and give AVAC an update at the next meeting. Ryan suggested that AVAC send James comments by email about this project as there is an appeal in place. Motion to approve sending a letter to Board of Supervisors about the Martin Hotel roofing material put on the table by Karla, seconded by Sherri. All voted in favor of sending the letter.

3.0 OLD BUSINESS

3.1 None

4.0 NEW BUSINESS

4.1 Bob Jones Bike Trail MUP Tim Smith/Public Works

tsmith@co.slo.ca.us The end of the Bob Jones trail is now is dumping out in a really dangerous area, proposal to exchange easements to extend the bikeway path parallel to Avila Beach drive. This involves an exchange of real property transfer, abandonment, agreements and finally the ultimate transfer. This is a tricky process, all the agencies and parts are working together to make this happen. The project/exchange has actually been in the works for over 10 years and came here to AVAC last year when we supported the process. Tim is here to answer any questions about the actual process, in essence they are just displacing an easement from one area to another, they take one back and give back another. Avila Beach resorts have always owned this property. Jan Di Leo commented that the EIR would look at the impact of traffic and other issues when looking at the whole conversion/abandonment process. Jan commented that when you look at value for value, the size of the property that the golf course is getting is smaller than the property that he is giving, and the golf course has to make some major modifications that will be quite expensive and Mr. Rossi is willing to do this on his own, actually move a hole, and a lot of other re-arranging the current layout. Karla asked about the safety of the path, concerning trees and tree roots. Jan feels that all of that will be resolved in the environmental report. Motion to support this project, conceptually put on the table by Sherri Gooding. John seconded this motion. The motion was voted with all in favor except for Anne who voted nay.

4.2 Port San Luis Lighthouse Bob & Susan Vessley

Bob & Susan are with the Lighthouse Keepers. They handed out a presentation which contains a list of access projects at the lighthouse. The restoration has been in process for about 10 years, with the biggest problem being access, since it is surrounded by Diablo. The Steam generator project is now potentially including some of these projects in the mitigation funds. Their hope would be to go as a united front to the Board of Supervisors with AVAC and other like councils/agencies. The document contains an A-G wish list, not necessarily prioritized. They have grant money earmarked for road improvements, just need permission from PG&E to build on their property. The Docent lead trail right now is the only way to get out there. There are currently plans in place to be able to have a one way road with a small van, similar to Hearst Castle, always controlled because of the road and security. The Vessley’s are willing to come back next month when PG&E is here. Jerry Lenthall wants to commend them for how many hours they have put into this project and hopes that AVAC will put their support into this project and help them strike when the opportunity is there.

5.0 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE/COMMUNICATIONS

5.1 Adoption of AVAC Code of Ethics

Bob: We have seen some disturbing events at other Advisory Councils and we want to be sure that we are all aware of our behavior, as we are a reflection of the community and we should strive to do this in a dignified manner. Bob put a motion on the table to adopt the Code of Ethics that was distributed to the council. Ted seconded the motion. Ted suggested that we add a conflict of interest clause and change the Title to Code of Conduct, rather than Code of Ethics. Motion on the table by Bob, seconded by Ted to change the title to code of conduct. Motion on revised code of conduct. All voted in favor, no nays.

6.0 STANDING & AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS

6.1 Land Use Committee (Karla Bittner) no report

6.2 Avila Valley Committee (Jan Taylor) no report

6.3 Avila Beach Comm Lisa special mtg about historical value of schoolhouse

6.4 San Luis Bay Estates (Sheri Gooding) Avila Village: swimming pool next to inn in Avila village, parking lot and retaining wall, lot 8 in Avila village…wants to know the purpose of construction and legality of retaining wall…no permitting that Sheri is aware of asked Ryan for feedback. Recommendations for ordinance changes that they would like supported by AVAC, absence of guest parking spaces on streets that are two narrow for street parking. Karla made a motion that the board approves making these suggestions to planning as it may impact new neighborhoods. Ted seconded. Voted unanimously.

6.5 See Canyon (Bill Tickell) no report

6.6 Squire Canyon (John Schug) trying to get community to get their drainage ditches ready for winter.

6.7 Traffic Circulation (Jan Taylor/Sherri Gooding) Sherri talked to Jan: AVAC representative on task force reviewing special events/temporary events. Recommending review by Thursday of comments, Sherri sent this to everyone’s email. Motion to conceptually approve items put together by Kerry Brown, Planner of SLO County Planning & Building Dept to Proposed Event Ordinance Amendments, Review by Friday and send comments to Sherri if there is a problem. Voted unanimously to approve. Request for clarification from the county on whether or not events at the golf course are grandfathered. Motion to send this and comment to Sherri by Friday. Voted to approve.

6.8 Community Liaisons

Port San Luis (Karla Bittner) no report

Flood Zone 9 – this month’s meeting was cancelled.

6.9 Diablo Report (Dusty Palaia) see handout.

7.0 PUBLIC COMMENT: Jerry Lenthall: Asked if anybody has any interests/knowledge, funding, alternative sites for relocating the Avila schoolhouse. Call, email or snail mail him to see if they can find any other options. Denise Allen: Commenting about the danger of the current outlet of the Bob Jones bike trail, her son fell on his bike crossing and she experienced the traffic. Also commented that they are started a See Canyon Watershed Group. Anne Brown invited everyone to the Annual Christmas party Sunday Dec 10 at 6pm at Avila Civic Association, bring salad, BYOB. Terri is hoping to break ground on the new construction by spring.

8.0 ADJOURNMENT

Meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Karin Argano, Secretary